Revocation of Power of Attorney Form

Use our Revocation of Power of Attorney to remove someone’s power of attorney.

revocation of power of attorney form

Updated June 4, 2024
Written by Yassin Qanbar | Reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

A Revocation of Power of Attorney form allows you (the “Principal”) to change your mind about who you want to act on your behalf for personal, healthcare, business, or legal matters. As the name suggests, you can revoke or cancel the power and authority previously granted to this person, known as your “Agent.”

Just as a Principal can create a Power of Attorney (POA), a Principal can also revoke that power.

A simple Revocation of POA should generally identify the following information:

Revocation of Power of Attorney – By State

What Is a Revocation of Power of Attorney?

A Revocation of Power of Attorney is a legal document in which a principal (the signatory of the Power of Attorney document) cancels the powers granted to their Agent or Attorney-in-Fact (the person named and appointed as agent in the document ).

Reasons to Revoke a Power of Attorney

You may need to cancel or rescind the authority you previously gave to the Agent for many reasons. You may need to revoke a POA if:

Change in Circumstances: Life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of children can prompt a need to reconsider and adjust the appointed agent.

Agent Incapacity or Unavailability: If the agent becomes unable to perform their duties or is no longer available, the principal may need to appoint a new agent, leading to revocation of the existing POA.

Completion of Task or Transaction: If the POA was created for a specific purpose, such as a single transaction or task, revocation may occur once that purpose is fulfilled.

Loss of Trust: If the principal no longer trusts the agent or perceives a lack of alignment with their best interests, they may revoke the POA.

Change of Mind: The principal has the right to change their mind at any time and may revoke the POA if they no longer wish to grant the designated authority.

How to Revoke a Power of Attorney

Revoking a Power of Attorney is a critical process that must be undertaken with precision and legal awareness. The principal, the individual granting the POA, can revoke the POA, provided they are mentally competent to make such a decision. The steps involved in this process are as follows:

  1. Fill Out The Document : The principal must fill out a revocation of POA form, available in formats like PDF or Word. This form should include the state and county of the principal’s residence, the principal’s details, recording details (if the POA was recorded), the revocation effective date, and the name of the agent or attorney-in-fact.
  2. Sign and Notarize : After completing the form, the principal should sign it. Notarization of the signed form is recommended, especially if the original POA was notarized.
  3. Include Witnesses : Having two adult witnesses during the signing process adds to the legitimacy of the revocation.
  4. Record In The County Recorder’s Office (Optional) : If the original POA was officially recorded, the revocation should also be recorded in the same county recorder’s office.
  5. Inform the Agent and Third Parties : Notify the agent of their termination through certified mail for a formal record. Also, inform all third parties who received the POA, such as financial institutions, lawyers, and accountants.
  6. Destroy Any Remaining Copies Securely : Any remaining copies, whether with the principal or third parties, should be securely destroyed, typically by shredding.

What Happens If You Don’t Revoke Your Power of Attorney?

If you do not properly revoke your previous Agent’s POA, the wrong person may have the legal authority to act on your behalf in important financial and business decisions.
By taking the time to create a Revocation of POA, you can prevent the following suffering: