Changing or revoking a power of attorney

A client can change a power at any time as long as they still have capacity.

Powers of attorney and guardianship can be changed or revoked in different ways:

• The client’s death or the attorney’s resignation will extinguish a power.
• Telling the attorney(s) their power is withdrawn and destroying the document and copies, or completing a new document will also extinguish powers.
• The appointment of an administrator to undertake financial and legal decisions can extinguish powers given to attorneys (see Part XIA, Division 4 and 6 of the Instruments Act 1958).

If powers have been revoked, the previous attorney(s) and relevant agencies need to be informed.