Power of attorney is an official document giving power to another person to act on your behalf. After the power of attorney has served its purpose, you may want to terminate their authority. For this, you would need to execute a power of attorney revocation form. It’s a legal document that is enforceable in the court of law in important matters.
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Power of Attorney Revocation Forms
What is a letter of revocation?
When you execute an evocation of power of attorney, will permits you to change your mind as to who you choose to represent you on your behalf for legal, professional or personal matters.
As the name of the document implies, it cancels or revokes the authority and power you have granted to the person. Just as the Principal (you) can compose a power of attorney, you can also write a letter of revocation to take away that power.
Upon signing the document, your former Agent will no longer have the authority to act on your behalf. You should also make sure to give notification to other institutions or entities who possess the POA of the change. When making this letter, include the following:
- The name of the Former Agent, the person who was previously permitted to act on your behalf.
- Your name as the Principal who needed assistance with legal, personal or business matters.
- The date when the revocation starts.
- Your signature along with the signature of a notary public.
Revocation Of Power Of Attorney
How do I revoke a power of attorney?
Bear in mind that you are the only one with the right to execute a power of attorney revocation form. However, if the members of your family feel that the appointed agent has started abusing the powers you gave them, the family court in your county can get involved in the revocation. Here are the steps to do this:
- Accomplish a relinquish power of attorney form
It could be a great help if your family has the original POA document. This ensures that the required information is correctly mentioned. - Sign the document
After completing the form, affix the required signatures. You should also have the document notarized. - Send it to the agent
The next thing to do is to send a copy of this document to your Agent through certified mail as this gives proof that the Agent received the document. Should the Agent still continue to act further on the behalf of the Principal (you), this is already considered a criminal act.
Although the revocation document doesn’t require a lawyer, it’s still better to have one as the legal consult ensures that all of the original POA details are properly addressed in the document. Also, note that verbal revocations aren’t acceptable unless this was previously mentioned in the original POA.
As soon as the revocation takes place, it nullifies the existing POA and it serves as a confirmation. Furthermore, a new you can also create a new POA to revoke the old one. Depending on the circumstances, you can document a newly written revocation for your own protection. For this, you may need new documentation too.
How to write a power of attorney revocation form?
When making a power of attorney revocation form, make sure that the document clearly states that you’re revoking the POA. The document should include the following information:
- Your name as the Principal.
- The name of your attorney-in-fact.
- The date the POA began.
- The date when you’re revoking the POA.
To make your relinquish power of attorney form valid, you must:
- Execute the revocation in the presence of a notary public.
- Give a copy of the document to your attorney-in-fact.
- Ask your attorney-in-fact to give back all POA copies they have.
- Give a copy of the document to third parties who might have used the POA.
- Give a copy of the document to any agencies that have recorded or required the POA.
There are a couple of forms related to this one and if needed, you might have to include these forms with the document or at least have them available when you begin the process. These forms are:
- Codicil
This gives you the ability to make simple changes to your Last Will and Testament. - End-of-Life Plan
You can use this to place your memorial wishes in writing for your loved ones. - Health Care Directive
This specifies your medical preferences when you cannot articulate your health care preferences. - Last Will and Testament
This specifies what should happen to your debts, assets, possessions, and properties when you pass away. - Power of Attorney
This allows you to appoint someone to make short- or long-term decisions on your behalf.
When you have accomplished the revocation document, you need to inform your attorney-in-fact of the revocation through a written document. There is no standard procedure for doing this. You can give a written revocation either by handing it to them in person, through email or by mail, as long as you possess proof that you provided notification.
Relinquish Power Of Attorney Forms
How to take power of attorney away from someone?
A power of attorney revocation form allows you to terminate an appointment that you made in the past. After signing this form, you cancel and immediately terminate the rights of the Agent as indicated in the POA.
If you don’t cancel your Agent’s POA, they will still have the legal authority to act on your behalf in making important decisions in terms of financial, business or personal matters. It is, therefore, important for you to learn how to cancel a power of attorney. This can prevent you from suffering the following consequences:
- Having to deal with issues because of:
Assigning a more trustworthy person to take care of your important matters.
Dealing with a legal or financial mess caused by your previous Agent.
Trying to pursue your previous Agent who has taken all of the money out of your accounts - Paying expensive fees to a lawyer to:
Dispute any unauthorized transactions made by your previous Agent.
Recover money that your previous Agent withdrew inappropriately from your bank account. - Experiencing mental stress and anguish because of:
A breach of trust by your previous Agent who abused the power you gave them.
Losing control over your business or finances.
Getting scammed by an Agent, which, in turn, causes you to lose your home or your life savings.
