How to revoke a power of attorney in Vermont

What Vermont 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 the power of attorney or an agent's authority. The law does not set a form or method for revoking. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an earlier one unless it says so.

Words used in Vermont

In Vermont you name an agent for money and property in a power of attorney, and a health care agent and treatment wishes in an advance directive. If an adult cannot manage their personal or financial affairs, the Probate Division can appoint a total or limited guardian, using only the least restrictive form 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; Vermont Statutory Form Power of Attorney
The person you choose
Agent
Health care
Advance directive (which can appoint a health care agent)
Treatment wishes
Health care instructions in the advance directive (older 'terminal care documents' are still valid)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian of a 'person in need of guardianship' (total or limited guardianship), voluntary guardianship

What Vermont law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke the power of attorney or an agent's authority. The law does not set a form or method for revoking. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an earlier one unless it says so. You cannot revoke it after you have been determined to be incapacitated.

Telling others

Ending a power of attorney or an agent's authority does not affect an agent or business that acts in good faith without actual knowledge that it ended; those acts still bind you.

Law: 14 V.S.A. § 4010(a)(3), (b)(1), (d), (f), (g)

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 become incapacitated or unavailable, if it is not durable
  • You revoke it
  • The document says it ends
  • Its purpose is accomplished
  • The agent dies, becomes incapacitated, resigns or is revoked and no other agent is named
  • A petition for divorce, annulment, separation or nullity is filed for your marriage to the agent
Banks and other businesses

A person asked to accept an acknowledged (notarized) power of attorney must accept it, or ask for an agent's certification, translation or lawyer's opinion, within 7 business days, and then accept it within 5 business days after getting it. It cannot demand its own form. Refusal is allowed only for listed reasons, such as a good-faith belief the power is invalid or a report to Adult Protective Services. A wrongful refusal can lead to a court order and liability for attorney's fees and costs.

Law: 14 V.S.A. §§ 4019, 4020

Law: 14 V.S.A. § 4010

Good to know in Vermont

  • Vermont adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act effective July 1, 2023; powers of attorney are now durable unless they say otherwise.

    Law: 14 V.S.A. § 4004

  • Since April 1, 2024, advance directive witnesses may take part remotely by audio-video or phone if conditions are met.

    Law: 18 V.S.A. § 9703(b)(2)

  • Advance directives signed in a hospital, nursing home or residential care facility need a signed explanation by a qualified person, such as an ombudsman.

    Law: 18 V.S.A. § 9703(d)-(e)

  • Registering an advance directive in the Vermont Advance Directive Registry is free (Vermont Department of Health).

Changes in 2024–2026

2023, No. 88 (Adj. Sess.): advance directive witnesses may be remote on and after April 1, 2024; 18 V.S.A. § 9721 covered remote witnesses through March 31, 2024. 2023, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. June 6, 2024, amended 14 V.S.A. § 4020 (refusal to accept a power of attorney). 2025, No. 64, § 13, eff. June 12, 2025, amended 14 V.S.A. § 3068 (guardianship hearing). Vermont Advance Directive Registry procedures updated July 1, 2024.

Law: 18 V.S.A. § 9703(b)(2)

Free help in Vermont

Report abuse or exploitation

Vermont Adult Protective Services (Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, Division of Licensing and Protection) · 1-800-564-1612

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