A. A power of attorney terminates when:
1. The principal dies;
2. The principal becomes a vulnerable adult, if the power of attorney is not durable;
3. The principal revokes the power of attorney;
4. The power of attorney provides that it terminates;
5. The purpose of the power of attorney is accomplished; or
6. The principal revokes the agent's authority or the agent dies, becomes a vulnerable adult, or resigns, and the power of attorney does not provide for another agent to act under the power of attorney.
B. An agent's authority terminates when:
1. The principal revokes the authority;
2. The agent dies, becomes a vulnerable adult, or resigns;
3. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an action is filed (i) for the divorce or annulment of the agent's marriage to the principal or their legal separation, (ii) by either the agent or principal for separate maintenance from the other, or (iii) by either the agent or principal for custody or visitation of a child in common with the other;
4. The agent is convicted of financial exploitation of the principal under § 18.2-178.2; or
5. The power of attorney terminates.
C. Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an agent's authority is exercisable until the authority terminates under subsection B, notwithstanding a lapse of time since the execution of the power of attorney.
D. Termination of an agent's authority or of a power of attorney is not effective as to the agent or another person that, without actual knowledge of the termination, acts in good faith under the power of attorney. An act so performed, unless otherwise invalid or unenforceable, binds the principal and the principal's successors in interest.
E. Incapacity of the principal of a power of attorney that is not durable does not revoke or terminate the power of attorney as to an agent or other person that, without actual knowledge of the incapacity, acts in good faith under the power of attorney. An act so performed, unless otherwise invalid or unenforceable, binds the principal and the principal's successors in interest.
F. The execution of a power of attorney does not revoke a power of attorney previously executed by the principal unless the subsequent power of attorney provides that the previous power of attorney is revoked or that all other powers of attorney are revoked.
2010, cc. 455, 632, § 26-81; 2012, cc. 57, 614; 2022, cc. 397, 654.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 64.2 - Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries
Chapter 16 - Uniform Power of Attorney Act
§ 64.2-1602. Power of attorney is durable
§ 64.2-1603. Execution of power of attorney
§ 64.2-1604. Validity of power of attorney
§ 64.2-1605. Meaning and effect of power of attorney
§ 64.2-1606. Nomination of conservator or guardian; relation of agent to court-appointed fiduciary
§ 64.2-1607. When power of attorney effective
§ 64.2-1608. Termination of power of attorney or agent's authority
§ 64.2-1609. Coagents and successor agents
§ 64.2-1610. Reimbursement and compensation of agent
§ 64.2-1611. Agent's acceptance
§ 64.2-1613. Exoneration of agent
§ 64.2-1615. Agent's liability
§ 64.2-1616. Agent's resignation; notice
§ 64.2-1617. Acceptance of and reliance upon acknowledged power of attorney
§ 64.2-1618. Liability for refusal to accept acknowledged power of attorney
§ 64.2-1619. Principles of law and equity
§ 64.2-1620. Laws applicable to financial institutions and entities
§ 64.2-1621. Remedies under other law
§ 64.2-1622. Authority that requires specific grant; grant of general authority
§ 64.2-1623. Incorporation of authority
§ 64.2-1624. Construction of authority generally
§ 64.2-1626. Tangible personal property
§ 64.2-1628. Commodities and options
§ 64.2-1629. Banks and other financial institutions
§ 64.2-1630. Operation of entity or business
§ 64.2-1631. Insurance and annuities
§ 64.2-1632. Estates, trusts, and other beneficial interests
§ 64.2-1633. Claims and litigation
§ 64.2-1634. Personal and family maintenance
§ 64.2-1635. Benefits from governmental programs or civil or military service
§ 64.2-1639. Agent's certification
§ 64.2-1640. Uniformity of application and construction
§ 64.2-1641. Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act