How to Revoke a Lasting Power of Attorney
A donor can cancel their LPA at any time, as long as they still have mental capacity.
Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed
Circumstances change. Perhaps you no longer trust the attorney you named, or you have divorced, or you simply want to start fresh with a different arrangement. Whatever the reason, you have the right to revoke your Lasting Power of Attorney at any time — as long as you still have mental capacity. This guide explains the full process for revoking both unregistered and registered LPAs in England and Wales.
At a glance
- Only the donor can revoke their own LPA, and they must still have mental capacity to do so
- Revoking a registered LPA requires a signed deed of revocation sent to the OPG — there is no fee
- The revocation is not effective until the attorneys have been notified in writing
- Create and register a new LPA before revoking the old one to avoid a gap in coverage
Who Can Revoke an LPA?
Only the donor — the person who created the LPA — can revoke it. This is a fundamental legal principle. Attorneys, family members, and other third parties cannot revoke an LPA, although they can raise concerns with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) or apply to the Court of Protection if they believe the LPA is being misused.
Crucially, the donor must have mental capacity to revoke the LPA. This means they must be able to understand what they are doing and the consequences of revoking the document. If the donor has lost mental capacity, only the Court of Protection can cancel the LPA, and only in specific circumstances such as attorney misconduct.
Common Reasons for Revoking an LPA
People revoke their LPA for all sorts of reasons, and none of them require justification to the OPG. Some of the most common include:
- Relationship breakdown with an attorney — divorce, separation, or a falling out can make it inappropriate for someone to continue acting on your behalf.
- Loss of trust — if you no longer feel confident that your attorney will act in your best interests, revoking the LPA is a sensible step.
- Attorney moving abroad — an attorney who lives overseas may find it difficult to manage your affairs practically, particularly for a Property and Financial Affairs LPA.
- Changing how attorneys act together — for example, you may have appointed attorneys to act jointly but now want them to act jointly and severally. This requires a new LPA, which means the old one needs to be revoked.
- Updating preferences or instructions — if your wishes have changed significantly since you made the LPA, it may be simpler to revoke and start fresh rather than trying to work within the existing document.
Whatever your reason, the process for revoking a lasting power of attorney is the same. The steps below explain exactly how to do it.
Revoking an Unregistered LPA
If your LPA has been signed but has not yet been sent to the OPG for registration, revoking it is straightforward. Since an unregistered LPA has no legal effect, you can simply:
- Destroy the original LPA document (tear it up, shred it, or write "Revoked" across the front page)
- Destroy any copies that have been made
- Inform the named attorneys that the LPA has been cancelled
There is no need to notify the OPG at this stage because they do not yet have a record of the LPA. However, it is good practice to inform everyone who was involved so there is no confusion.
Revoking a Registered LPA
If your LPA has already been registered with the OPG, the revocation process is more formal. You must complete a deed of revocation — a written statement that formally cancels the LPA. The process involves these steps:
- Step 1: Prepare the deed of revocation. There is no official OPG form for this, but the document must clearly state that you (the donor) are revoking the LPA, identify the LPA being revoked (including the type and registration date), and be dated.
- Step 2: Sign the deed in the presence of a witness. The deed must be signed by the donor and witnessed by an independent adult. The witness should also sign and provide their full name and address.
- Step 3: Send the deed of revocation to the OPG. Post the signed deed to the OPG at PO Box 16185, Birmingham, B2 2WH. Include the original registered LPA document if you have it.
- Step 4: Notify the attorneys. Write to each attorney named in the LPA to inform them that the LPA has been revoked and they no longer have authority to act on your behalf.
- Step 5: Notify third parties. Inform any organisation that holds a certified copy of the LPA (such as banks, building societies, care homes, or medical providers) that the LPA has been revoked.
Key point: The revocation is not effective until the attorneys have been notified. If an attorney acts under the LPA before being told it is revoked, their actions may still be legally valid.
What to Include in a Deed of Revocation
While there is no prescribed format for a deed of revocation, it should include:
- Your full name and address as the donor
- A clear statement that you are revoking the LPA
- The type of LPA being revoked (Property and Financial Affairs, or Health and Welfare)
- The names of the attorneys appointed under the LPA
- The registration date or reference number (if known)
- The date of the deed
- Your signature, witnessed by an independent adult who also signs and provides their name and address
If you are unsure about the wording, a solicitor can help you prepare the deed. Many legal professionals offer this as a straightforward service at a modest cost.
After Revocation — Making a New LPA
Once you have revoked an LPA, you may want to create a new one to replace it — particularly if you still want someone to be able to act on your behalf, just not the same person or in the same way. Creating a new LPA is a completely separate process: you will need to complete a new LPA form, choose new attorneys (or re-appoint the same ones with different terms), and pay the £92 registration fee.
You should have the new LPA ready before revoking the old one, so there is no gap in coverage. However, this requires careful timing, and you should ensure the old LPA is formally revoked once the new one is registered.
For more information about making changes to your LPA arrangements, see our guides on can an LPA be cancelled or changed and how to change attorneys on an LPA.
Tip: If you're revoking your LPA to update your attorneys or preferences, our online service makes creating a replacement straightforward.
Can an Attorney Resign Instead of the Donor Revoking?
An attorney who no longer wishes to act can disclaim their appointment by giving written notice to the donor. If the LPA is registered, the attorney should also notify the OPG. Disclaimer by an attorney does not revoke the LPA — any remaining attorneys (or replacement attorneys) can continue to act.
If the resigning attorney was the sole attorney and no replacements were named, the LPA effectively becomes unusable, and the donor may need to create a new one. For related information, see our guide on what happens if you change your mind about an LPA.
Prevention is better than cure. A properly drafted LPA can prevent many of these problems. Learn how our service works or see pricing.
Key Takeaways
- You do not need a solicitor — revocation can be done yourself using a deed of revocation, signed and witnessed, at no cost
- Notify everyone — inform each named attorney, the OPG, and any third parties holding certified copies (banks, care homes) that the LPA is revoked
- Timing matters — create and register the replacement LPA first so there is no gap where nobody has legal authority to act
- An attorney can resign separately — if an attorney no longer wishes to act they can disclaim by giving written notice, without the donor needing to revoke the whole LPA
- You can revoke one type and keep the other — Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare LPAs are independent legal documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone other than the donor revoke an LPA?
No. Only the donor can revoke their own LPA, and they must have mental capacity to do so. However, concerned parties can raise issues with the OPG or apply to the Court of Protection, which has the power to cancel an LPA if attorney misconduct is found.
Is there a fee to revoke an LPA?
No. There is no fee to revoke an LPA. You simply need to create a deed of revocation, sign it in front of a witness, and send it to the OPG along with the original registered LPA document if you have it.
Should I revoke my old LPA before or after creating a new one?
It is generally advisable to create and register the new LPA first, then revoke the old one. This ensures there is no gap in coverage where nobody has legal authority to act on your behalf.
Do I need a solicitor to revoke an LPA?
No. You can revoke an LPA yourself by completing a deed of revocation, signing it in front of a witness, and notifying the OPG. There is no fee for revocation.
What happens to the original LPA document after revocation?
You should send the original registered LPA to the OPG so they can update their records. If you have lost the original, inform the OPG in writing. Any certified copies should also be recovered from banks or other organisations that hold them.
Can I revoke just one type of LPA and keep the other?
Yes. If you have both a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA, you can revoke one without affecting the other. Each is an independent legal document.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Further reading from GOV.UK
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