California Power of Attorney

A power of attorney does not have an expiration date unless the principal includes a termination date in their power of attorney form. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you review the power of attorney regularly to determine if any changes are needed. Major life events, such as the birth of a child or receiving new assets, may make it necessary to amend the form or create a new one. If you need to do this, simply use LegalNature's form to revoke your first power of attorney and modify your wishes.

The principal is under no obligation to maintain a power of attorney and can end the power of attorney at any time and for any reason. It is always a good idea to notify your agent and any third-party institutions that you are cancelling your power of attorney.

To revoke a power of attorney, you need to expressly indicate this in a written form. You can use our revocation form to revoke your existing power of attorney or create a new power of attorney that indicates the previous power of attorney is revoked.

There is normally no need to register a power of attorney in California. The exception is real estate: if your agent will buy or sell property on your behalf, the POA typically needs to be notarized and recorded with your local county land-records office before the transaction closes.

Yes. California law limits certain high-risk powers — such as making gifts, changing beneficiary designations, or amending a trust — unless you specifically authorize your agent to exercise them in the document. This list is state-specific, so review it carefully during the signing process. In every state, an agent can never vote on your behalf or make or change your will.

In all states, a general power of attorney will cease to be effective if the principal becomes incapacitated. In California, that durability language must be included expressly and is not assumed by default the way it is in states that have adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act.