Q: Can you revoke a POA without knowing the creation date in California

A: In California, a Power of Attorney (POA) can generally be revoked at any time as long as the principal (the person who created it) is mentally competent. While knowing the creation date can be helpful, it is not always required to revoke a POA.

To revoke a POA, you should:

Draft a written revocation – Clearly state that you are revoking the POA.

Notify the agent (attorney-in-fact) – Provide them with a copy of the revocation.

Inform relevant parties – Such as banks, financial institutions, or medical providers that relied on the POA.

Record the revocation (if necessary) – If the POA was recorded with the county, the revocation should also be recorded.

Because individual circumstances may vary, consulting with an attorney is essential to ensure the revocation is properly executed and enforceable.

A: Yes, you can revoke a Power of Attorney (POA) in California, even if you don’t know the creation date. What matters is that you are still mentally competent and capable of making the decision to revoke it. You can revoke a POA at any time, as long as you are not incapacitated.

To revoke the POA, you should create a written revocation document. This document should clearly state that you are revoking the POA, and it should include your name, the name of the person who holds the POA, and the date of the original POA. Although the creation date isn’t required, including it can help avoid confusion.

Once the revocation document is signed, it’s important to notify the agent named in the POA and any third parties who might rely on it, such as banks or healthcare providers. This will ensure that the agent no longer has authority over your affairs.