How to revoke a power of attorney in Rhode Island

What Rhode Island law says about revoking a power of attorney, and a free letter you can fill in and print.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Short answer

The statutory short form says it lasts until the end date you choose or until it is ended 'by revocation, destruction or other affirmative action.' Rhode Island statutes do not set a required method of revoking a financial power of attorney.

Words used in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island you name an attorney-in-fact for money and property in a power of attorney, and an agent for health care in a separate durable power of attorney for health care. A declaration (living will) covers life-sustaining procedures if you are terminally ill. If an adult cannot manage, the city or town probate court can appoint a limited guardian or guardian, only as far as needed.

An agent (also called an attorney-in-fact) is the person you choose to act for you. You are the principal.

Money and property
Power of attorney; durable power of attorney; Rhode Island statutory short form power of attorney
The person you choose
Attorney-in-fact (agent)
Health care
Durable power of attorney for health care
Treatment wishes
Declaration under the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act (living will)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian or limited guardian (the adult is the 'ward'); probate courts are run by each city or town

What Rhode Island law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

The statutory short form says it lasts until the end date you choose or until it is ended 'by revocation, destruction or other affirmative action.' Rhode Island statutes do not set a required method of revoking a financial power of attorney.

Telling others

Tell the agent and every bank or business that has a copy. A person who acts in good-faith reliance on a power of attorney that is valid on its face is not liable for following the agent's instructions, and a person who makes a payment in good faith under a power of attorney is not liable if they did not know you had revoked it, died or become of unsound mind.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 18-16-2, 34-22-6.1(b), 34-22-7

Source: Official text

Free letter: revoke a power of attorney

The date on the document you signed. If you are not sure, use your best estimate.

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Other formats

Sign the letter and keep a copy. This tool does not check whether your document is valid, and it is not legal advice.

When it ends and how to revoke it

It ends when
  • The date you set in the power of attorney
  • You revoke or destroy it, or take other affirmative action to end it
  • You become incompetent, if it is not a durable power of attorney
Banks and other businesses

Rhode Island law does not require a bank or other business to accept a power of attorney. Anyone who acts in good-faith reliance on a power of attorney that is valid on its face incurs no liability for following the agent's instructions, and a good-faith payment under a power of attorney is protected if the payer did not know of the principal's death, unsound mind, bankruptcy or revocation.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-22-6.1(b); R.I. Gen. Laws 34-22-7

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 18-16-2, 34-22-6.1

Good to know in Rhode Island

  • In Rhode Island a financial power of attorney is NOT durable unless it says it continues after incompetency.

    Law: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-22-6.1

  • If you name more than one agent on the statutory short form, they must act together unless you write 'severally'.

    Law: R.I. Gen. Laws 18-16-2(f)

  • The health care power of attorney form needs two witnesses or one notary, and one of them must swear they are not your relative or heir.

    Law: R.I. Gen. Laws 23-4.10-2

  • Rhode Island has a Supported Decision-Making Act.

    Law: R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-66.13, 2019

Free help in Rhode Island

Report abuse or exploitation

Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (Adult Protective Services for people 60 and older)

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