Does the Power of Attorney Expire?

Have you ever needed someone to manage your work while you were unavailable? Perhaps you were travelling, unwell, or busy with other commitments. In these situations, a Power of Attorney (POA) acts as a vital legal tool. It allows you to appoint a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf.

But a common question arises: Does this power last forever? The simple answer is no. A Power of Attorney is not a lifelong pass. It has a clear lifespan and can expire in several ways. Understanding when and how a POA ends is crucial to protect your interests and ensure your affairs are managed correctly.

This blog breaks down everything you need to know about the expiration of a Power of Attorney, with a special focus on the rules and regulations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

What is a Power Of Attorney & its Types 

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows one person (the agent) to act on behalf of another (the principal) in legal, financial, or business matters.

The main types of POA commonly used in the UAE include:

• A General Power of Attorney gives someone broad authority to handle most legal and financial matters.
• A Special Power of Attorney limits authority to specific tasks or transactions, such as selling property or signing an agreement.
• A Health care Power of Attorney allows an agent to make medical and healthcare decisions for the principal if they cannot do so themselves.

Each type serves a different purpose, depending on the level of authority and situation.  

In the UAE, the validity of a Power of Attorney is governed by specific regulations. You cannot assume a POA will last indefinitely. Many people even ask, “does a power of attorney expire when the notary commission expires?” The answer is no; the expiry depends on UAE law and the specific document, not the notary’s tenure. The rules are clear and designed to prevent misuse.

According to the regulations followed by notary publics in the UAE, such as Dubai’s Notary Public Law (Law No. 4 of 2013), a standard validity period is in place.

• General Power of Attorney (GPA): It is usually valid for two years from the date it is notarized, unless the principal sets a shorter period. However, many banks and government offices place restrictions on them or may even refuse to accept them because of the high risk of misuse.
• Special Power of Attorney (SPA): An SPA remains valid until the task mentioned in the document is finished. For property transactions, the Dubai Land Department generally requires that the POA be less than two years old. In reality, many authorities prefer to see a POA issued within the past year before they accept it.   

It is crucial to note that government departments may have their own internal rules. For example, some land departments might only accept a POA for real estate transactions that were issued within the last year. 

As of 2025, it is always best practice to check with the specific authority where you intend to use the POA to confirm their requirements.

A Power of Attorney can end, or expire, for several reasons. Knowing these triggers is essential for both the principal and the agent.

1. Expiry by a Stated Date or Event

The simplest way a POA expires is when the date specified in the document arrives. If your POA states it is valid until say September 30, 2025, it will become invalid on October 1, 2025. Similarly, for an SPA, the completion of the designated task (like the sale of a specific asset) terminates the agent’s authority.

2. Death of the Principal or Agent

A Personal Power of Attorney is a legal agreement between the principal and the agent. The authority granted is personal to them. Therefore, the POA automatically and immediately expires upon the death of either the principal or the agent. An agent cannot continue to act on behalf of a deceased person. After death, the estate is managed by an executor or by succession law, not through the POA.

3. Incapacity of the Principal

In the UAE, as per the Civil Code, a standard Power of Attorney typically expires if the principal loses legal capacity (for example, due to a severe illness or injury leading to a coma). This is a critical protection, as the agent’s authority stems directly from the principal’s consent. If the principal can no longer provide that consent, the agency relationship ends.

4. Revocation by the Principal

As the person who grants the power, you have the right to take it back. The principal can revoke (cancel) a Power of Attorney at any time, as long as they are mentally competent. Get more details about the process of revocation of a POA in UAE’s most popular emirate; Dubai. Read more.  

5. Court Order or Authority Rejection

Courts or government authorities in the UAE may cancel or refuse a POA if it is misused, fraudulent, or goes against public policy.

How to Revoke a POA in the UAE?

The process for revocation is formal and must be properly documented.

1. Visit a Notary Public: You must go to a registered Notary Public in the UAE.
2. Submit a Revocation Request: You will need to present the original POA or a copy, along with your identification.
3. Notify the Agent: The Notary Public will officially document the revocation. It is your legal responsibility to ensure the former agent is notified in writing that their authority has been cancelled. Failure to do so could lead to legal complications if they continue to act on your behalf.
4. Update Relevant Authorities (if applicable): If the POA was granted for property dealings, the revocation must also be lodged with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). For company-related authorizations, the revocation should be reflected in official company records, such as amendments to the Memorandum or Articles of Association.

When Do Authorities Refuse a POA?

In the UAE, not all Powers of Attorney are automatically accepted by banks, government bodies, or property regulators. Authorities may refuse a POA in the following situations:

• Outdated Document: Many institutions only accept POAs that are less than one year old, even if the document states a longer validity.
• Broad or Vague Powers: A POA that grants unrestricted powers without clear limitations may be rejected due to the risk of misuse.
• Improper Notarization: If the POA is not notarized correctly or lacks legal translation into Arabic, it will not be recognized.
• Misuse or Fraud Concerns: Courts and government bodies can suspend or cancel a POA if there are signs of abuse, fraud, or if it contradicts public interest.

A Power of Attorney cannot be “extended” in the traditional sense. When a POA expires, you cannot simply amend it to add more time. Instead, you must create an entirely new Power of Attorney document.

The process for creating a new POA is the same as the first time:

• Drafting: The document must be drafted clearly, outlining the powers you wish to grant.
• Notarization: You and your agent must appear before a Notary Public with your valid IDs to sign the document.
• Legal Translation: If the document is not in Arabic, it must be legally translated, as Arabic is the official language for legal proceedings in the UAE.
• Fees: You will need to pay the applicable government fees for notarization. For 2025, notarizing a new POA in the UAE typically costs between AED 300 and AED 500, depending on the emirate and the type of POA. 

If you’re planning to issue a new document, it’s best to first understand the steps about how to get a Power of Attorney to ensure smooth processing.

Handling a Power of Attorney requires careful attention to detail. Mistakes can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.

• Using an Expired POA: Any transaction made using an expired Power of Attorney is legally invalid. Always ensure you are working with a valid POA to avoid legal disputes and rejected transactions. Expired POA can result in failed property sales, frozen bank accounts, or voided contracts, causing significant financial loss.
• Improper Attestation: If a POA is created outside the UAE, it must be properly attested to be valid inside the country. This involves a multi-step process: notarization in the home country, attestation by the UAE Embassy there, and final attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE. Many people fail to complete this chain, rendering their document useless.
• Vague Language: Using unclear or overly broad language in a General POA can open the door for misuse. Always define the agent’s powers as precisely as possible, even in a GPA.

To avoid these risks, always seek guidance from a legal professional when drafting a POA. They can ensure the document is clear, legally compliant, and protects your interests.

So, does the Power of Attorney expire? Absolutely. It is a temporary grant of authority, not a permanent one. Whether by a set date, the completion of a task, the death of a party, or a formal act of revocation, every POA has a defined endpoint.

Understanding these rules, especially the specific two-year validity period for General POAs in the UAE, is essential for effective legal planning. Always be aware of your POA’s status, ensure it remains a valid POA, communicate clearly with your agent, and take formal steps to renew or revoke it when necessary. By doing so, you ensure this powerful document serves its intended purpose and remains a tool for convenience, not a source of conflict.