How to Revoke a Power of Attorney in Texas

Revoking a power of attorney in Texas is straightforward, but doing it improperly can leave your former agent with apparent authority — meaning banks and institutions may continue honoring their requests even after you've decided to remove them.

Here's the legally complete process for revoking a Texas POA.

Who Can Revoke

Only the principal — the person who created the POA — can revoke it. And they must be mentally competent at the time of revocation. If the principal has lost mental capacity, they cannot revoke a POA. At that point, a court proceeding may be necessary to remove the agent.

Step 1: Execute a Written Revocation

Texas law requires the revocation to be in writing. A verbal statement that "I'm revoking my POA" has no legal effect.

The written revocation should include:

• The principal's full legal name
• A clear statement that the principal revokes the power of attorney
• Identification of the POA being revoked (date of execution, agent's name)
• The principal's signature
• Notarization (strongly recommended, especially if the original POA was notarized)

There is no mandatory state form for revocation — a clearly written and signed statement is sufficient.

Step 2: Notify the Agent

The revocation doesn't take effect against the agent until the agent receives actual notice. Under Texas law, an agent who acts in good faith without knowledge of the revocation is protected from liability for transactions completed before they were notified.

Deliver the revocation to the agent in a way that creates a record:

• Certified mail with return receipt
• Hand delivery with a signed acknowledgment
• Email with a delivery/read receipt (though certified mail is more defensible)

Step 3: Notify Third Parties

This is the step most people miss. Even after you've revoked the POA and notified the agent, any third party (bank, brokerage, title company) that hasn't been informed may continue honoring the former agent's requests.

Send written notice of revocation to:

• Every financial institution where the agent had authority
• Insurance companies, investment firms, and retirement account administrators
• Healthcare facilities and physicians (for medical POA revocations)
• Any business or entity where the agent was authorized to act

Include a copy of the written revocation with each notice.

Step 4: Record the Revocation (If the POA Was Recorded)

If the original POA was recorded with a county clerk — typically for real estate transactions — the revocation must also be recorded. Under Texas Estates Code § 751.131, recording the revocation in the same county where the POA was filed provides constructive notice to anyone searching the property records.

Recording fees are the same: $25 for the first page, $4 per additional page.

An unrecorded revocation of a recorded POA creates a gap in the public record. A title company searching the county records would still find the original POA and may treat it as valid.

Step 5: Create a New POA (If Needed)

Revoking a POA doesn't automatically appoint a new agent. If you still need someone to manage your affairs, execute a new POA after the revocation is complete. The new POA should include language stating that all prior powers of attorney are revoked, providing an additional layer of documentation.

Automatic Revocation Events

A Texas POA also terminates automatically when:

• The principal dies
• The principal becomes incapacitated (only if the POA is non-durable)
• A court appoints a guardian of the estate and the court order limits or removes the agent's authority
• The POA's stated expiration date passes
• The agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or resigns (if no successor is named)

Why Proper Revocation Matters

An improperly revoked POA is a liability. A former agent who retains a copy of the document and hasn't been formally notified can continue making transactions — and third parties who rely on the original document in good faith may be protected from liability for honoring those requests.

The Texas Power of Attorney Kit includes a revocation form template and a notification checklist to ensure every institution and individual is properly informed when you need to change or remove your agent.

See more Texas guides →