Updated: May 2026 • Based on UK Law • England & Wales
What Is Revoking a Power of Attorney?
Revoking a power of attorney is the formal process of cancelling it, ending the attorney’s authority. The donor must have mental capacity to do so.
It requires a signed, witnessed Deed of Revocation, plus notification to the attorneys and any third parties relying on it. A registered LPA is sent with the deed to the Office of the Public Guardian; a registered EPA also needs a Court of Protection application to confirm the revocation.
This guide covers how to revoke a power of attorney, the deed of revocation, notifying the OPG and third parties, and the fastest way to cancel one.
A neighbour spots the warning signs first. The elderly donor mentions money going missing, or an attorney who’s stopped returning calls.
By the time the family acts, the attorney has had months of unchecked access. Revoking the power of attorney correctly — and fast is what stops the damage.
Get the revocation wrong and the attorney’s authority technically continues. Banks keep honouring their instructions.
That’s why three things all have to be right:
- the deed — correctly drafted and signed
- the witness — independent and present when you sign
- the notifications — to the attorney, the OPG, banks and anyone else relying on it
✓ Revoke a power of attorney the correct way
Answer guided questions or use the classic editor — your Deed of Revocation of Power of Attorney is built for you.
Works for:
- Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
- Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) — registered or unregistered
- Ordinary/General Power of Attorney
Handles both full revocation and partial revocation (removing one attorney). Preview every clause before buying. Only pay when your happy.
The builder gives you the correct next steps for your type — including the Court of Protection route where a registered EPA is involved.
What your Deed of Revocation pack includes
- Covers all five types — LPA (Property & Financial Affairs or Health & Welfare), EPA (registered or unregistered), and Ordinary/General Power of Attorney
- Full or partial revocation — and it checks whether your attorneys were appointed “jointly” or “jointly and severally”, because removing one jointly-appointed attorney cancels the whole power of attorney
- Mental-capacity check — a power of attorney can only be self-revoked while the donor has capacity, so the builder confirms this before producing the deed
- Notice letter to the attorney and a third party notification letter for banks and institutions — pre-filled and ready to send
- Type-specific next steps — what to send to the Office of the Public Guardian, what to keep, and the Court of Protection route for a registered EPA
- Both formats — guided Smart Interview and Classic Editor, producing the identical deed, with free lifetime updates
How Do You Revoke a Lasting Power of Attorney in the UK?
A donor with mental capacity can revoke a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) at any time, for any reason.
The process is governed by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and administered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
The Core Steps to Revoke an LPA
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- Confirm mental capacity: The donor must understand the nature and effect of the revocation
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- Create a Deed of Revocation: A formal written statement cancelling the LPA
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- Sign before an independent witness: The witness signs and adds their name and address
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- Send to the OPG: The original LPA plus the deed of revocation
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- Notify attorneys and third parties: Banks, care providers, GPs, and anyone relying on the LPA
The key principle: until everyone who relied on the LPA is told, the attorney may still appear to have authority.
Who Can Revoke an LPA?
Only the donor can revoke their own LPA — and only while they have mental capacity.
If the donor has lost capacity, the LPA cannot be self-revoked.
Concerns about an attorney must instead be reported to the OPG, which can investigate and apply to the Court of Protection to remove the attorney.
What Is a Revocation Deed?
A Deed of Revocation is the formal legal document that cancels a power of attorney.
A verbal cancellation is not enough. The revocation must be in writing, in the correct deed format, signed and witnessed, and the attorney must be notified.
What a Deed of Revocation Must Contain
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- The donor’s full name and address
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- The date the LPA or EPA was made
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- The names and addresses of all attorneys
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- A clear statement revoking the power and all authority granted under it
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- The donor’s signature, dated, in front of an independent witness
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- The witness’s signature, name, and address
Full vs Partial Deed of Revocation
A full deed of revocation cancels the entire LPA and ends all attorneys’ authority.
A partial deed of revocation removes one attorney while keeping the rest of the LPA intact — useful where one attorney can no longer act but the others remain trusted.
There is an important catch. Partial revocation only works if your attorneys were appointed “jointly and severally” (each able to act independently). If they were appointed “jointly” (they must all act together), removing one attorney cancels the entire power of attorney — the remaining attorneys cannot continue on their own. In that situation you would make a full revocation and, if you still need cover, a new Lasting Power of Attorney. Our builder asks how your attorneys were appointed and, where they were appointed jointly, prepares a full revocation and explains why.
Our Deed of Revocation template covers both full and partial revocation, with the correct wording for each.
How to Complete a Revocation
Completing a revocation correctly means following the steps in the right order — and keeping evidence at each stage.
Step-by-Step Completion
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- 1. Draft the deed: Complete a Deed of Revocation with all required details
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- 2. Sign and witness: The donor signs in front of an independent adult witness
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- 3. Send to the OPG: Post the signed deed and the original LPA to the Office of the Public Guardian
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- 4. Notify the attorneys: Send each a copy of the deed
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- 5. Notify third parties: Banks, building societies, care providers, GPs, utility companies
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- 6. Keep copies: Retain dated copies of every document and notification sent
The revocation takes effect against the attorney once they receive notice of it — not when the OPG records the cancellation. For a registered LPA, the OPG cancels the registration once it has the signed deed and the original LPA, and confirms in writing.
The practical risk is third parties: a bank or other organisation can keep relying on the LPA until it is told the revocation has happened. That is why notifying banks and third parties at the same time as the attorney and the OPG matters so much.
How Do I Write a Revocation Letter?
There are two separate documents people often confuse: the deed of revocation (the legal instrument) and the revocation letter (the notification).
The deed cancels the LPA. The letter tells attorneys and third parties that it has been cancelled.
What a Revocation Notification Letter Should Say
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- The donor’s name and the date of the original LPA
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- A clear statement that the LPA has been revoked and from what date
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- Confirmation that the attorney’s authority has ended
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- A request that records be updated and any cards or documents returned
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- An enclosed certified copy of the deed of revocation
Send notification letters by recorded delivery so there is proof of when each recipient was told.
How Do I Notify Someone of Revocation?
Notification is the step most people underestimate. A revoked LPA the bank doesn’t know about is still being honoured by that bank.
Who Must Be Notified
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- The Office of the Public Guardian — for any registered LPA or EPA
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- Every attorney named in the LPA, including replacements
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- Banks and building societies holding the donor’s accounts
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- Care providers and the GP for a health and welfare LPA
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- Pension providers, utility companies, and HMRC where relevant
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- Any investment or property manager acting under the attorney’s instruction
Each recipient should get a copy of the deed and a covering notification letter. Request written confirmation that records have been updated.
What Is the Fastest Way to Revoke a Power of Attorney?
The fastest route depends on whether the donor still has mental capacity.
If the Donor Has Capacity
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- Complete the deed of revocation immediately — this is the single most time-critical step
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- Notify banks and third parties the same day — don’t wait for OPG confirmation
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- Send the deed and original LPA to the OPG by recorded delivery
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- Freeze affected accounts if attorney misuse is suspected, by alerting the bank directly
The deed takes legal effect once signed and witnessed. The OPG recording it is the administrative confirmation — but the practical protection comes from notifying third parties fast.
If the Donor Lacks Capacity
There is no fast self-revocation route. Report concerns to the OPG safeguarding team on 0300 456 0300, which can investigate and, if needed, apply to the Court of Protection.
If there is immediate risk to the donor’s finances, alert the bank directly — they can freeze accounts pending investigation.
What Is the Purpose of Revocation?
Revocation exists to give the donor control. A power of attorney is a significant grant of authority, and the law allows the donor to take it back.
Common Reasons to Revoke
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- Loss of trust: The attorney is no longer someone the donor wants acting for them
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- Suspected misuse: Concerns the attorney is acting in their own interest, not the donor’s
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- Change in relationship: Divorce, separation, or a falling-out
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- Attorney unable to act: Illness, relocation abroad, or death
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- Changed circumstances: The donor wants to appoint someone different or no longer needs the LPA
Where the donor wants to change attorneys, the usual approach is to revoke the existing LPA and create a new one. A registered LPA cannot simply be amended.
Can a Family Member Be My Power of Attorney?
Yes — a family member is the most common choice of attorney in the UK.
An attorney can be any trusted person aged 18 or over who has mental capacity — a spouse, adult child, sibling, friend, or a professional such as a solicitor.
Who Can Be Appointed
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- Spouse or partner
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- Adult children or other relatives
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- A trusted friend
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- A professional (solicitor or accountant — usually for property and financial affairs)
For a property and financial affairs LPA, an attorney must not be bankrupt or subject to a debt relief order.
Many donors appoint more than one attorney and choose whether they act “jointly” (all must agree) or “jointly and severally” (each can act independently).
How Do You Revoke an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)?
Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) were replaced by LPAs on 1 October 2007. No new EPAs can be made, but those created before that date remain valid.
How an EPA is revoked depends entirely on whether it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Revoking an Unregistered EPA
An EPA is only registered when the donor is starting to lose mental capacity — until then it can be used while it remains unregistered.
While the donor has capacity and the EPA is unregistered, revocation is straightforward.
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- Complete a Deed of Revocation with the donor and attorney details and the date the EPA was signed
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- Sign it before an independent witness
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- Notify the attorneys and any third parties (banks, building societies) holding a copy
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- Keep the deed with the original EPA — it does not need to be sent to the OPG
Unlike an LPA, an unregistered EPA revocation involves no government filing. The deed plus notification is enough.
Revoking a Registered EPA
Once an EPA is registered (because the donor is losing or has lost capacity), the donor cannot simply revoke it with a deed alone.
The revocation must be confirmed by the Court of Protection, which then directs the OPG to cancel the registration.
A Deed of Revocation is still required as part of that application, alongside evidence — usually a medical assessment — that the donor had capacity to revoke at the time.
The Court of Protection application is made under paragraphs 16(3) and 16(4)(a), Schedule 4 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. At the time of writing the application fee is £421, with a possible £259 hearing fee — fees change periodically, so check the current amount at gov.uk/court-of-protection-fees. Our builder produces the deed you need for that application; it does not file the application itself.
If the donor has lost capacity entirely, concerns about a registered EPA go to the OPG safeguarding team, which can apply to the Court of Protection to remove an unsuitable attorney.
Can I Sell My Mother’s House With Power of Attorney in the UK?
Yes — but only with a registered Property and Financial Affairs LPA (or a pre-2007 Enduring Power of Attorney that covers property).
A Health and Welfare LPA does not give any authority over property or finances.
The Conditions That Apply
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- The LPA must be registered with the OPG before the attorney can act
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- The sale must be in the donor’s best interests — not the attorney’s
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- The donor’s finances must be kept separate from the attorney’s own
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- If the donor still has capacity, their consent to the sale is needed
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- The conveyancer will require a certified copy of the registered LPA
Where the attorney also stands to benefit from the sale (for example, selling to a relative), the OPG may require Court of Protection approval to avoid a conflict of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you revoke a lasting power of attorney in the UK?
A donor with mental capacity completes a Deed of Revocation, signs it in front of an independent witness, and sends it with the original LPA to the Office of the Public Guardian.
Attorneys and any third parties relying on the LPA (banks, care providers) must also be notified.
What is a revocation deed?
A Deed of Revocation is the formal written document that cancels a power of attorney. A verbal cancellation is not enough.
It must name the donor and attorneys, state the date of the original LPA, clearly revoke the authority, and be signed and witnessed.
How do I write a revocation letter?
A revocation notification letter states the donor’s name, the date of the LPA, that it has been revoked, and that the attorney’s authority has ended.
Enclose a copy of the deed of revocation and send by recorded delivery. This is separate from the deed itself.
How do I notify someone of revocation?
Send each attorney and third party a copy of the deed of revocation with a covering letter, by recorded delivery.
Notify the OPG, all attorneys, banks, care providers, the GP (for health and welfare LPAs), and any organisation that relied on the LPA.
What is the fastest way to revoke a power of attorney?
If the donor has capacity: complete and witness the deed of revocation immediately, then notify banks and third parties the same day rather than waiting for OPG confirmation.
If the donor lacks capacity, there is no fast self-revocation — concerns go to the OPG, which can apply to the Court of Protection.
What is the purpose of revocation?
Revocation lets a donor take back the authority they granted. Common reasons include loss of trust, suspected misuse, a change in relationship, or wanting to appoint a different attorney.
Can a family member be my power of attorney?
Yes. A family member is the most common choice. An attorney can be any trusted person aged 18 or over with mental capacity.
For a property and financial affairs LPA, the attorney must not be bankrupt or subject to a debt relief order.
Can I sell my mother’s house with power of attorney in the UK?
Yes, with a registered Property and Financial Affairs LPA (or a pre-2007 EPA covering property). A Health and Welfare LPA does not cover property.
The sale must be in the donor’s best interests, and the conveyancer will require a certified copy of the registered LPA.
How do you revoke an enduring power of attorney (EPA)?
If the EPA is unregistered and the donor has capacity, complete a Deed of Revocation, sign it before a witness, and notify the attorneys and third parties. It does not need to go to the OPG.
If the EPA is registered, the Court of Protection must confirm the revocation and then direct the OPG to cancel the registration.
Is our deed of revocation template legally binding?
Yes. When completed, signed, and witnessed correctly, our Deed of Revocation creates a recognised legal document that cancels the power of attorney.
It is structured following the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and executed as a deed under the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989.
One point to note: for a registered EPA, the deed is part of a Court of Protection application rather than the final step on its own (see the EPA section above). For an LPA, an unregistered EPA or an Ordinary Power of Attorney, the signed and witnessed deed plus notification does the job.
Some donors opt for solicitor review where an attorney is likely to dispute the revocation.
The Truth About “Free” Legal Template Sites (What You’re Really Signing Up For)
Most websites offering a “free legal template” follow the same pattern:
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- You click because it’s advertised as free
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- You spend 10–15 minutes answering questions
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- At the very end, you must create an account or start a “free trial”
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- Your card is required upfront
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- The subscription auto-renews at £29–£39 per month
This isn’t a free template – it’s a subscription service. Many people only realise after being charged £300–£400 over the year.
Why These “Free” Templates Are a Legal Risk
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- Outdated wording: not aligned with current UK law
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- Missing mandatory clauses: required for legal validity
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- No compliance guidance: leaving users without legal context
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- No structured checklist: no way to verify the document works
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- Not kept updated: often unchanged when legislation changes
One incorrect clause can weaken or invalidate the entire document.
Hidden Problem: Many “Free Template” Sites Aren’t Even UK-Based
Another major issue is that many free or auto-subscription template sites operate outside the UK and use documents originally drafted for the US legal system. These are then loosely adapted for “international use,” which creates serious problems:
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- Incorrect terminology: taken from US contract law
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- Missing UK statutory references: essential legal requirements omitted
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- Non-applicable clauses: terms that don’t apply under UK legislation
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- Legal conflicts: risks breaching UK consumer, employment, or GDPR rules
Why Templates UK Does the Opposite
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Last updated: May 2026
Disclaimer: This guide provides general UK legal information, not legal advice.
Laws current as of May 2026. Power of attorney revocation is governed by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and administered by the Office of the Public Guardian for England & Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate power of attorney systems.
Always verify current requirements with official sources. Existing customers receive the updated template free in their My Templates page.
