How to Revoke a Power of Attorney
A general durable financial power of attorney, signed by you, can be used by your agent while you are alive and as long as the power has not been revoked by you, the principal. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to revoke a power of attorney.
You Have All Copies of the Power of Attorney:
If you have all copies of the power of attorney and have not given the power of attorney to your agent, all you need to do is to destroy the power of attorney. You may also wish to sign a new power appointing a new agent.
You Have Given a Copy of the Power of Attorney to your Agent:
If you have given a copy of the power of attorney to your agent there are two ways to revoke the power.
You can draft and sign a Notice of Revocation or you can destroy all existing copies of the power of attorney. Mailing the Notice of Revocation to your agent by certified mail can demonstrate that your agent has actual knowledge that you revoked the power of attorney. Once your agent has actual knowledge that the power is revoked, he or she can no longer act as your agent and sign your name.
If you gave the power to a bank or other financial institution, in addition to providing Notice of Revocation to your agent via certified mail, you must provide a Notice of Revocation and deliver it to each financial institution where your agent has the authority to act for you. The bank or other financial institution may have other paper work for you to sign confirming the revocation of the power of attorney.
You Have All Copies of the Power of Attorney:
If you have all copies of the power of attorney and have not given the power of attorney to your agent, all you need to do is to destroy the power of attorney. You may also wish to sign a new power appointing a new agent.
You Have Given a Copy of the Power of Attorney to your Agent:
If you have given a copy of the power of attorney to your agent there are two ways to revoke the power.
You can draft and sign a Notice of Revocation or you can destroy all existing copies of the power of attorney. Mailing the Notice of Revocation to your agent by certified mail can demonstrate that your agent has actual knowledge that you revoked the power of attorney. Once your agent has actual knowledge that the power is revoked, he or she can no longer act as your agent and sign your name.
If you gave the power to a bank or other financial institution, in addition to providing Notice of Revocation to your agent via certified mail, you must provide a Notice of Revocation and deliver it to each financial institution where your agent has the authority to act for you. The bank or other financial institution may have other paper work for you to sign confirming the revocation of the power of attorney.
