How to Revoke a Power of Attorney in Alaska

A power of attorney is not permanent. Under AS 13.26.620, any principal with mental capacity can revoke their POA at any time — whether the relationship with the agent has deteriorated, circumstances have changed, or you simply want to designate a different person. But revocation requires more than just saying "I revoke it." You need to follow specific steps to make it legally effective against all parties.

Two Ways to Revoke Under Alaska Law

Physical destruction: Destroy the original document entirely. This terminates the POA immediately between the principal and agent. The problem: if you've distributed certified copies to banks, healthcare providers, or the District Recorder, those copies may still be relied upon by third parties who don't know the original was destroyed.

Written Notice of Revocation: Execute a formal, signed, notarized document stating that the prior POA is revoked. This is the safer and more provable method because it creates a paper trail and can be formally distributed to all parties.

Executing a Written Revocation

A valid revocation in Alaska should:

1. Identify the original POA — reference the date of execution, the agent's name, and ideally the document's recording information if it was recorded
2. State clearly that the POA is revoked — unambiguous language like "I hereby revoke the Power of Attorney executed on [date] naming [agent] as my attorney-in-fact"
3. Be signed by the principal while competent
4. Be notarized — acknowledgment before a notary public (same as the original POA's execution requirement under AS 13.26.600)

Mandatory Distribution

The revocation only protects you against third parties once they receive actual notice. Until notified, banks and institutions that relied on the POA in good faith are protected under AS 13.26.625 — they can continue accepting the agent's authority.

You must deliver the written revocation to:

• The agent — formal written notice that their authority has terminated
• All banks and financial institutions that received copies of the original POA
• Healthcare providers who have the POA on file
• The District Recorder — if the original POA was recorded for real estate purposes, the revocation must also be recorded in the same district to clear the property's chain of title
• Government agencies — the PFD Division, DMV, or any other agency that has the POA on file

Keep signed delivery receipts from every institution you notify.

Automatic Revocation Events

Alaska law triggers automatic revocation in certain circumstances without requiring a formal written notice:

Divorce: Under AS 13.12.804, a final divorce decree automatically revokes any POA provisions favoring the former spouse. Under AS 13.52.020, divorce also automatically revokes a spouse's designation as healthcare agent — unless the decree or the directive explicitly states otherwise.

Death of the principal: All authority terminates immediately upon the principal's death. The agent has no continuing authority to act in any capacity.

Appointment of guardian/conservator: If a court appoints a guardian or conservator for the principal, the court may suspend or revoke the agent's authority as part of the guardianship proceedings.

Common Revocation Mistakes

Failing to notify third parties. Destroying the original but leaving copies with banks means the agent could potentially continue acting until the bank discovers the revocation. Always distribute formal written notices.

Revoking while lacking capacity. The principal must be mentally competent at the time of revocation. If they've already lost capacity, only a court can remove the agent through guardianship proceedings.

Not recording the revocation. If the original POA was recorded with the District Recorder for real estate transactions, an unrecorded revocation leaves a cloud on the property title. Record the revocation in the same district.

Executing a new POA without revoking the old one. Multiple valid POAs can create conflicting authority. Always explicitly revoke prior documents when executing a new one.

The Alaska Power of Attorney Kit includes a ready-to-use Notice of Revocation template with proper statutory references, a distribution checklist for all required parties, and delivery receipt forms — ensuring your revocation is legally complete and enforceable.

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