How to revoke a power of attorney in Virginia

What Virginia 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 an agent's authority. The Act does not prescribe a form or method. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an older one unless the new one says so.

Words used in Virginia

In Virginia you name an agent for money and property in a power of attorney, and a health care agent and your treatment wishes in one advance directive. If an adult cannot manage and has no documents, the circuit court can appoint a guardian for personal decisions, a conservator for money, or both.

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
The person you choose
Agent (includes an 'attorney-in-fact')
Health care
Advance directive (Advance Medical Directive), which can appoint a health care agent
Treatment wishes
Health care instructions in the advance directive, including Option III (life-prolonging procedures if you have a terminal condition)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian (personal affairs) and conservator (money and property); limited and temporary guardians and conservators

What Virginia law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke a power of attorney or an agent's authority. The Act does not prescribe a form or method. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an older one unless the new one says so.

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 of the revocation is protected, and the act binds you.

Law: Va. Code 64.2-1608(D)

Law: Va. Code § 64.2-1608

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 a 'vulnerable adult' (the statute's term), if the power of attorney is not durable
  • You revoke it
  • It says it ends (a date or event)
  • Its purpose is accomplished
  • The agent dies, becomes incapacitated or resigns, or you revoke the agent's authority, and no other agent is named
  • For an agent married to you: an action is filed for divorce, annulment or legal separation, for separate maintenance, or for custody or visitation of a child you have together, unless the power of attorney says otherwise
  • The agent is convicted of financially exploiting you
Banks and other businesses

For a notarized (acknowledged) power of attorney, a person must accept it, or ask for an agent's certification, an English translation or a lawyer's opinion, within 7 business days, and then accept within 5 business days after receiving it. It cannot demand its own form. Refusal is allowed in listed cases (for example good-faith doubt, knowledge of termination, or a report to adult protective services). Wrongful refusal can lead to a court order and liability for attorney fees and costs. An optional Agent's Certification form is in Va. Code 64.2-1639.

Law: Va. Code 64.2-1617, 64.2-1618

Law: Va. Code § 64.2-1608

Good to know in Virginia

  • In Virginia two adult witnesses are required for an advance directive, and a spouse or blood relative may be one of them; no notary is needed.

    Law: Va. Code 54.1-2982, 54.1-2983

  • A health care agent's authority ends when a divorce or annulment action, or a custody or visitation petition for a child you share, is filed.

    Law: Va. Code 54.1-2985(A1), amended 2024, c. 81

  • Banks must accept a notarized power of attorney, or ask for a certification, within 7 business days.

    Law: Va. Code 64.2-1618

  • Since July 1, 2023 the court order appointing a guardian or conservator sets periodic review hearings.

    Law: Va. Code 64.2-2009(A1)

Changes in 2024–2026

2024, c. 81 amended Va. Code 54.1-2985 (agent's authority revoked by filing for divorce/annulment or a custody/visitation petition); 2024, cc. 231, 274 amended the registry sections 54.1-2994 and 54.1-2995; 2024, cc. 17, 156 amended petition contents; 2026, cc. 442, 443 amended 64.2-2000 and 64.2-2009. Acts 2026, cc. 992 and 1081 add alternate versions of 64.2-2000 and 64.2-2009 whose effective date depends on a contingency in clause 3 of those acts.

Law: 64.2-2002

Free help in Virginia

Report abuse or exploitation

Adult Protective Services (Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services; local departments of social services) · (888) 832-3858

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