Ending a Power of Attorney

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Kevin Smith in March 2017.

If you make a power of attorney, naming someone to take care of financial and legal matters for you, you may decide you want to end it.

You can end a power of attorney

If you make a power of attorney, you may end (“revoke”) it at any time as long as you are capable. The law presumes you are capable unless it is shown that you are not.

You must put your decision in writing. The written decision is called a Notice of Revocation. See below for suggested wording.

You must give a signed and dated copy of the written Notice of Revocation to each attorney appointed in your power of attorney. The revocation takes effect when it is given to everyone required. You can also list a specific future date in the Notice of Revocation when it will take effect.

You can also cancel a power of attorney by saying so in a new power of attorney replacing it.

A new power of attorney does not cancel the old one

More than one power of attorney can be in effect at the same time. If you want to be sure you have only one power of attorney in effect, when you make a new power of attorney, write at the beginning:

“I revoke any and all powers of attorney I have previously made.”

What you can do if someone misuses your power of attorney

Misusing a power of attorney is a crime. If your attorney abuses his or her power, end the power of attorney immediately and then seek legal advice. You may be able to sue your attorney to get back any money or property that has been taken.

If you are incapable and cannot revoke your power of attorney, you or someone else can call the Public Guardian and Trustee and report the situation. They will investigate.

How to end a power of attorney

Step 1. Put your decision in writing

To end a power of attorney you have made, put your decision in writing. The written decision is called a Notice of Revocation. You can use wording like this:

I, __________________ [insert your name], revoke the power of attorney that I made on ___________ [insert date power of attorney was signed] that appointed the following people ________________ [insert name of your attorney(s)] as my attorneys.

Date: _____________________

Signature: _________________

Sign and date the Notice of Revocation.

Step 2. Give a copy of the revocation to your attorney(s)

Give a signed and dated copy of the written Notice of Revocation to each attorney appointed in your power of attorney. It is a good idea to also give it to any alternate attorneys.

There is no specific way you are required to deliver the notice. You may wish to send it by registered mail to the person’s last known address, to be sure that they receive it.

Step 3. Give a copy of the revocation to anyone else you gave the power of attorney

If you gave a copy of the power of attorney to a bank or other financial service, send them a copy of the Notice of Revocation.

If you filed your power of attorney with the Land Title Office, you must also file your revocation with them.

Also be aware

If your attorney refuses to act or decides to quit

If the attorney you appointed in a power of attorney wants to quit, they must put their decision in writing. The written decision is called a Notice of Resignation.

They must give the written Notice of Resignation to you as the person who appointed them and to any other attorneys named in the power of attorney.

If the adult is incapable of making decisions at the time an attorney is resigning, the attorney must also give the Notice of Resignation to a spouse, near relative, or close friend of the adult.

If your attorney resigns, you need to notify any organizations, companies or individuals that the attorney deals with, and then you will need to make a new power of attorney.

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