Revoking Power of Attorney in Yukon: How to Cancel or Update an EPA

The Capacity Requirement

A donor can revoke an Enduring Power of Attorney at any time — but only while they are mentally capable. This is the same capacity standard required to create the EPA in the first place: the donor must understand what the revocation means, who their attorney is, and what powers they are withdrawing.

If the donor has already lost mental capacity, neither they nor their family can revoke the EPA. The attorney's authority continues until the donor dies, the attorney becomes bankrupt or incapable, or a court orders the revocation. A family member who believes the attorney is mismanaging the donor's affairs after capacity loss must apply to the Supreme Court of Yukon or report concerns to the Public Guardian and Trustee — they cannot simply cancel the document themselves.

How to Revoke an EPA

Revocation must be in writing. A verbal statement ("I want to cancel my power of attorney") is not legally effective, even if witnesses hear it. The written revocation should:

1. Clearly identify the EPA being revoked (the date it was signed, the name of the attorney)
2. State that the donor revokes the EPA in its entirety (or specify which powers are being withdrawn, if partial revocation is intended)
3. Be signed and dated by the donor
4. Be witnessed using the same standard as the original EPA — either two adult witnesses aged 19 or older (with one completing a Certificate of Witness) or a single lawyer (with a Certificate of Legal Advice)

The witnessing requirement is the part most people skip. An unwitnessed revocation letter does not comply with the Act and may not be honoured by banks or other institutions that hold a registered copy of the original EPA.

Who Needs to Be Notified

Signing the revocation is step one. Step two is distribution — and this is where most revocations fail in practice.

The donor must deliver a copy of the written revocation to:

• The attorney (the person whose authority is being revoked)
• Every financial institution where the EPA was registered (banks, credit unions, investment brokerages)
• Healthcare providers if a copy of the EPA was shared with them
• Any other person or institution that received and may rely on the original EPA

Until the attorney receives the revocation, they may continue acting under the EPA in good faith, and third parties who deal with the attorney before receiving notice of the revocation are protected. A bank that processes a transaction requested by the attorney before the bank has been notified of the revocation is not liable.

This means speed matters. If the donor is revoking the EPA because of a trust breakdown with the attorney, the revocation should be delivered to the bank on the same day it is signed — not mailed the following week.

Drafting a New EPA Does Not Automatically Revoke the Old One

This is a common and dangerous mistake. If a donor signs a new EPA naming a different attorney but does not explicitly revoke the earlier EPA, both documents may be treated as valid. The new EPA's instructions may contradict the old one, creating confusion for banks and care providers about who actually has authority.

The safest approach is to include an explicit revocation clause in the new EPA: "I hereby revoke all prior Enduring Powers of Attorney." Then deliver the revocation notification alongside the new EPA to every institution that holds the old one.

Updating an EPA Without Full Revocation

Sometimes the donor doesn't want to cancel the EPA entirely — they want to change the scope of the attorney's powers, add restrictions, or name an alternate attorney. Under the Enduring Power of Attorney Act, this requires executing an entirely new EPA that includes the updated terms and an explicit revocation of the prior one.

You cannot amend an existing EPA by crossing out sections, adding handwritten notes, or attaching an addendum. Any physical alteration to the document may render it invalid. Draft a fresh EPA with the new terms, execute it with proper witnessing, revoke the old one in writing, and distribute the new document to all relevant parties.

The Special Case of Springing EPAs

A springing EPA — one that only activates when a specified condition is met (such as a physician certifying the donor's incapacity) — can be revoked at any time before it activates, using the same process above.

Once a springing EPA has been activated (the condition has been met and the Notice of Attorney Acting has been served), the donor can still revoke it, but only if they have regained capacity. Capacity can fluctuate, and a lucid interval may provide a window for revocation. If there is any question about whether the donor has sufficient capacity to revoke, a concurrent physician's assessment documenting the donor's understanding should accompany the revocation.

The Yukon Power of Attorney & Personal Directive Kit includes revocation templates for both the EPA and the Advance Directive, with a notification checklist so that every institution holding a copy of the original document is properly informed.

See more Yukon guides →