A power of attorney is a legal agreement that gives a person (“attorney-in-fact” or “agent”) the ability to act on behalf of another person (“principal”). A common question asked about a power of attorney is under what circumstances one be overridden.
A power of attorney can be overridden. However, the “who” and “how” depends on whether the principal is of sound mind.
First and foremost, the principal can override a power of attorney at any time as long as they are of sound mind. The term “sound mind” refers to the state of mind and memory a person has at the time in question. So, as principal, you could override your power of attorney if you have sufficient mental capacity to understand what you are doing.
The act of overriding a power of attorney is called revocation. Every state’s laws specify how revocation can occur, but typically, it is required to be in writing and must clearly express the principal’s intention to revoke a specific power of attorney.
As the principal, you can revoke a power of attorney in many different ways, such as:
OVERRIDING A POWER OF ATTORNEY THROUGH A COURT
A second way a power of attorney can be overridden is through court intervention. For example, if you, as an agent, are no longer of sound mind, a court can remove you for acting improperly or acting in a manner that abuses your responsibilities as set forth in the power of attorney.
If family members or friends are concerned about this situation, they can seek to have you removed as well. They would have to file a formal request with the applicable court to remove an agent and replace them with a new one. This request is made pursuant to the applicable state’s law governing powers of attorney.
A third option is when a concerned party seeks guardianship or conservatorship of the principal through the local court system. If a guardian or conservator is subsequently appointed, they can then request the termination of a particular agent’s authority.
An agent can in fact decline to fulfill their duties. When choosing an agent under a power of attorney, it is best to have discussed the responsibilities with of the role before appointing them so that you can do your best to avoid such a situation.
Even if your agent had agreed to act in this role, they can still resign after they have been appointed. This is one reason it may be a good idea to consider naming a successor agent.
If you have questions about revoking a power of attorney or creating a new power of attorney that overrides a prior one, it is best to speak with a professional in your area. Each state’s laws are quite specific regarding the power of attorney process. A professional can help you understand how to comply with applicable requirements.
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