A Washington power of attorney revocation terminates a current agent’s power over the principal’s affairs. Complete your revocation form by retrieving pertinent details from the original POA document. Clearly reference the original document, clarifying that you’re terminating the previously granted powers.
After writing this document, you must distribute copies to all agents, successor agents, and relevant third parties who store the original document or are familiar with the agent’s authority. Notice of revocation is imperative to hold the parties accountable. Without notice, they may unknowingly continue to act under the revoked authority.
Legal Considerations
Statute – Uniform Power of Attorney Act (RCW § 11-125-010 – § 11-125-903).
Definitions – RCW § 11.125.020.
Signing Requirements – Notary public is recommended but is not explicitly required under state law.
Revocation and Termination
According to RCW § 11.125.100, the document itself terminates when:
- The principal revokes the agent’s authority, or the agent dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated. The document must also not provide for another agent to act under the principal’s declaration.
- The POA fulfills its goal or provides that it terminates.
- The principal revokes the power of attorney.
- The principal dies.
- The principal becomes incapacitated (if the POA isn’t durable).
The agent’s authority becomes invalid when:
- The power of attorney ends.
- The principal revokes the authority.
- The agent dies, becomes incapacitated, or resigns.
- The agent’s marriage to the principal ends via an official annulment or dissolution.
- The agent or principal files for legal separation or the dissolution/annulment of their state-registered domestic partnership.
Revoke a POA by completing a revocation form and delivering notice to your agent. In Washington, you don’t need to have a notary public acknowledge your revocation [1] . However, it can help prove to your agent that you’re serious about ending their authority.
If you filed the original document in a Washington County Recorder’s Office, complete the same process for your revocation form.
Fees
- Notary: Notary fees tend to start at around $5 per signature, but they can go up to $15 per signature (WAC § 308-30-220).
- Recording: Recording fees vary depending on the county recorder’s office you file in, but they typically range from $20 to $50.
Resources
- Northwest Justice Project – Offers free legal assistance.
- Office of Civil Legal Aid – Provides state-funded civil legal aid to qualifying individuals.
- Alliance for Equal Justice – Provides various resources to low-income earners in Washington state.