How to Revoke Durable Financial Power of Attorney in Ohio

In Ohio, you can revoke a power of attorney at any time.

Durable financial powers of attorney can be used effectively by anyone in Ohio who wishes to ensure their financial desires are met if they become sick or otherwise incapacitated. However, the time may come when you want to revoke your agent's power to make these financial decisions. To revoke a durable financial power of attorney in Ohio, you must take the proper steps to ensure your revocation is legally binding.

Instructions

1. Contact the agent. As long as you, the principal, are of sound mind, you can revoke a durable financial power of attorney at any time. Notify your agent of your revocation. Do this either in person or over the phone at the earliest possible time.

2. Write the agent. Follow up your oral revocation with a written notice. State clearly your revocation of the agent's power of attorney and the date upon which it took effect. Though you cannot retroactively revoke a power of attorney, you ensure that the agent's ability to act on your behalf is terminated immediately.

3. Contact any third parties. If your agent was acting on your behalf with other parties, you should also notify them of the revocation. Third parties may require you to send them official notice, either in writing or by supplying them with a particular form or even a notarized revocation.

4. Notify the court. If your durable financial power of attorney was used to convey interest in real estate, such as mortgages, liens or titles, you will have to file the notice of revocation with the same Ohio office of the county recorder where the property is located.

Tips & Warnings

• Get your power of attorney and revocations notarized. Many third parties, as well as government agencies, will not recognize the power of attorney unless it is notarized. Even though Ohio law does not require all powers of attorney be notarized, it will make it much easier down the road if you notarize these documents in advance.

References

• LA Writer: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1337 Power of Attorney