How to revoke a power of attorney in Texas

What Texas 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

You can revoke a power of attorney or a particular agent's authority. The Act does not set a required method for revoking. Signing a new power of attorney does not cancel an older one unless the new one says it revokes the earlier one or all others.

Words used in Texas

In Texas you name an agent for money and property in a durable power of attorney, and a health care agent in a separate medical power of attorney. Your end-of-life treatment wishes go in a third document, the directive to physicians. If an adult cannot manage and has no documents, a court can appoint a guardian, but only if alternatives and supports will not work.

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

Money and property
Durable power of attorney; statutory durable power of attorney
The person you choose
Agent (older documents and some sections also say "attorney in fact")
Health care
Medical power of attorney
Treatment wishes
Directive to physicians and family or surrogates ("directive")
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian of the person, guardian of the estate (a guardianship can be full or limited); the adult is called the "ward"

What Texas law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke a power of attorney or a particular agent's authority. The Act does not set a required method for revoking. Signing a new power of attorney does not cancel an older one unless the new one says it revokes the earlier one or all others.

Telling others

Tell the agent and every bank or business that has a copy. An agent or other person who acts in good faith without actual knowledge that the power of attorney or the agent's authority has ended is protected, and the act binds you.

Law: Tex. Est. Code §§ 751.131, 751.132, 751.134, 751.135

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.

These names go into your letter only. They are never saved or sent to us.

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
  • You die
  • You revoke it
  • It says it ends, or its purpose is accomplished
  • The agent dies, becomes incapacitated, is no longer qualified or resigns, and no other agent is named
  • The agent's marriage to you is ended by divorce or annulment or declared void, unless the document says otherwise
  • A permanent guardian of your estate qualifies (a temporary guardian of the estate suspends it)
Banks and other businesses

A person asked to accept a durable power of attorney must accept it, or within 10 business days ask for an agent's certification (under penalty of perjury) or a lawyer's opinion, and then accept within 7 business days of receiving it, unless a legal ground for refusal applies. A business may not demand its own form or recording at the county clerk unless recording is required by law. A refusal must be explained in writing. The principal or agent can sue; the court can order acceptance and award costs and attorney's fees. A photocopy or electronically sent copy has the same effect as the original unless the document or another statute says otherwise.

Law: Est. Code 751.201, 751.203, 751.204, 751.206; Est. Code 751.202; Est. Code 751.207; Est. Code 751.212; Est. Code 751.0023(c)

Law: Tex. Est. Code §§ 751.131, 751.132, 751.133

Good to know in Texas

  • Texas updated its Durable Power of Attorney Act in 2017 with provisions of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. A durable power of attorney must be notarized.

    Law: HB 1974, effective September 1, 2017; Est. Code 751.0021

  • Texas uses three separate health documents: the medical power of attorney, the directive to physicians, and the declaration for mental health treatment (HHSC Advance Directives forms).
  • Banks and other businesses must accept a valid durable power of attorney within set deadlines or give written reasons, and can be sued for an improper refusal.

    Law: Est. Code 751.201-751.212

  • Texas has an Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate Order form for emergency personnel, published by the Department of State Health Services.

    Law: Health & Safety Code 166.083

    Source: HHSC forms page

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