How to revoke a power of attorney in Washington

What Washington 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, while you have capacity. The Act does not prescribe a method. Washington Law Help's revocation form uses a written notice to the agent, and it does not have to be notarized.

Words used in Washington

In Washington you name an agent for money, health care or both in a durable power of attorney. Your wishes about life-sustaining treatment go in a separate health care directive. If an adult cannot manage and less restrictive options will not work, the superior court can appoint a guardian, a conservator, or order a protective arrangement.

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 (power of attorney for finances)
The person you choose
Agent (the law also covers an 'attorney-in-fact')
Health care
Durable power of attorney for health care
Treatment wishes
Health care directive (Natural Death Act directive, often called a living will)
Court-appointed decision-maker
Guardian (personal and health decisions) and conservator (property and money); full or limited

What Washington law says about revoking a power of attorney

How to revoke

You can revoke a power of attorney, or a particular agent's authority, while you have capacity. The Act does not prescribe a method. Washington Law Help's revocation form uses a written notice to the agent, and it does not have to be notarized. Signing a new power of attorney does not revoke an older one unless the new one says so.

Telling others

Give copies of the revocation to the agent and to banks, medical providers and others who have the old power of attorney. An agent or business that acts in good faith without actual knowledge of the revocation is protected.

Law: RCW 11.125.100(1)(c), (2)(a), (5), (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.

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, if the power of attorney 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 divorce, annulment or legal separation action is filed between you and your spouse or registered domestic partner agent, unless the document says otherwise
Banks and other businesses

A person asked to accept a notarized (acknowledged) power of attorney must accept it, or ask for an agent's certification or an English translation, within 7 business days, and then accept within 5 business days after getting it. They cannot demand their own form. Refusal is allowed only for listed reasons (for example, a good faith belief the power is invalid, or a report of suspected abuse to DSHS). A wrongful refusal can lead to a court order and payment of attorney's fees and costs.

Law: RCW 11.125.190, 11.125.200

Law: RCW 11.125.100

Good to know in Washington

  • Unlike most states that adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Washington powers of attorney are NOT durable unless they say so.

    Law: RCW 11.125.040

  • Witnesses to a power of attorney cannot be related to you or to your agent, and cannot be your home care provider or a care provider where you live.

    Law: RCW 11.125.050

  • Filing for divorce, annulment or legal separation ends a spouse or registered domestic partner agent's authority unless the document says otherwise; it is restored if the case is dismissed by agreement or withdrawn.

    Law: RCW 11.125.100(2)(c), (3)

  • Since 2025, the suggested health care directive form no longer says it has no effect during pregnancy.

    Law: Laws of 2025, ch. 56

Changes in 2024–2026

Laws of 2025, ch. 56 removed the pregnancy clause from the suggested health care directive form in RCW 70.122.030. Laws of 2026, ch. 101 amended RCW 11.125.050 to add subsection (4): a limited power of attorney used only to transfer a vehicle to an insurer after payment of damages does not need notarization and may be signed electronically. Laws of 2024, ch. 267 amended the adult guardianship petition contents; Laws of 2026, ch. 177 amended RCW 11.130.300 (access to reports).

Law: HB 1215; RCW 11.130.270

Free help in Washington

Report abuse or exploitation

Adult Protective Services (DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration)

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