A Power of Attorney Revocation is a formal legal document by which a principal terminates the authority previously granted to an agent under an existing power of attorney. Under common law agency principles and the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA Section 110), a principal who has legal capacity retains the absolute right to revoke a power of attorney at any time, regardless of whether the original POA contained a fixed term or was stated to be irrevocable.

The revocation must be communicated to be effective. Under UPOAA Section 110(b), a revocation is not effective as to the agent until the agent receives actual notice. More critically, under Section 119, third parties who act in good faith reliance on a POA without knowledge of the revocation are protected from liability. This means that simply signing a revocation document is insufficient; the principal must ensure that all relevant parties, including banks, financial institutions, title companies, healthcare providers, and government agencies, receive actual notice of the revocation.

If the original POA was recorded with a county recorder's office, as is common with POAs used for real estate transactions, the revocation should also be recorded in the same jurisdiction to provide constructive notice to the public. Courts have consistently held that an unrecorded revocation does not provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers or lenders who rely on the recorded POA. Revocations executed under duress or when the principal lacks mental capacity may be challenged and potentially invalidated.

The most common trigger for revocation is a change in the relationship between the principal and agent. Divorce or separation from a spouse who serves as agent necessitates immediate revocation, as many states automatically revoke spousal POAs upon divorce under UPOAA Section 110(b)(1), but not all do, and the automatic revocation may not extend to separated couples.

Suspected financial abuse or mismanagement by the agent is an urgent reason to revoke. If bank statements show unauthorized transactions or the agent has failed to maintain required records, a revocation accompanied by notification to all financial institutions should be executed immediately. Elder abuse statutes in many states provide additional remedies in these situations.

Executing a new POA naming a different agent requires formal revocation of the prior document to avoid conflicting authority between multiple agents. Estate planning updates, such as revising a will or trust, often necessitate corresponding changes to the POA. A principal who recovers capacity after a period of incapacity may wish to revoke a springing POA that was activated. Changes in financial circumstances, relocation to a different state, or simply a desire to handle one's own affairs again are all legitimate grounds for revocation.

The revocation must clearly identify the original POA being revoked, including the date it was executed, the name of the agent whose authority is being terminated, and a description of the powers that were granted. If multiple POAs have been executed over time, the revocation should specify whether it applies to a single document or all previously executed powers of attorney.

A statement of revocation in unambiguous language is essential. Courts have rejected revocations that merely express displeasure with the agent or suggest future termination. The language should be definitive and present-tense, leaving no room for interpretation.

The effective date of revocation should be clearly stated, whether immediate upon execution or at a specified future date. Notification provisions should list all parties who must receive actual notice, including the former agent, all financial institutions where the POA was on file, healthcare providers, title companies, government agencies, and any other third parties who were provided copies of the original POA.

The principal's signature must be notarized in most jurisdictions. If the original POA was recorded, the revocation should be recorded in the same county. Witnesses may be required depending on state law. The document should include a certification that the principal is of sound mind and acting voluntarily, and a statement directing the former agent to return all copies of the original POA and any property held on the principal's behalf.