• Irrevocable general power of attorney

My father's younger brother when he was alive gave an irrevocable general power of attorney in 2008 for his property because he was staying abroad, so he doesn't want the property. now after his death does the irrevocable power of attorney expire? or can the property still be in father's name and suppose want to transfer to my mother's name or mine is it possible?
Asked 5 years ago in Civil Law

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22 Answers

1. Yes after his demise the POA is not valid his legal heirs shall have right over the property. 

2. If property was not transferred in life it's not in your father's name.

Shubham Jhajharia
Advocate, Ahmedabad
25513 Answers
179 Consultations

Irrevokable POA without consideration expires on the death of principal.

Only if POA is with valuable consideration is valid and binding on legal heirs of decessed principal.

Yogendra Singh Rajawat
Advocate, Jaipur
23079 Answers
31 Consultations

An attorney holder's rights automatically get extinguished upon the death of the executor. You should call Upon the class I Legal heirs to execute a fresh power of attorney in your favour. 

Mohammed Mujeeb
Advocate, Hyderabad
19325 Answers
32 Consultations

It depends on the averments of the POA it's not necessary that after the death the PoA ceases. It depends on the intention of the POA. The transfer depends on under what intention the POA was given your father. If the intention is not proper as per the Constitution of said POA transfer can't be done.  If there is interest of the agent your father is still present then it can be registered even after the death of principal

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
34514 Answers
249 Consultations

1) Power of attorney ceases on death of principal unless it is coupled with consideration 

 

2)in present case it ceases on demise of your uncle 

 

3) property would devolve on his legal heirs namely his wife and children 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99775 Answers
8145 Consultations

Dear Sir/Madam,

As per your input, the said power of attorney is irrevocable and hence your father may transfer to that property to anyone through due process at registrar's office.  

Ganesh Singh
Advocate, New Delhi
7169 Answers
16 Consultations

Irrevocable power of attorney creating an agency, wherein the agent has an interest in the property and which forms the subject matter of such agency created for valuable consideration, the agency cannot be terminated to the prejudice of such interest, unless there is an express contract to the contrary, nor can it be terminated by death of principal.

Ashish Davessar
Advocate, Jaipur
30840 Answers
981 Consultations

1. The GPA given by your uncle in favour of your father in 2008 for his property gets cancelled/nullified the moment your uncle is dead.

2.  However if there were to be any amount involved and specifically mentioned in the GPA then the GPA continues to be valid even after the death of the Testator.

3.  It's not clear in your narration as to, whether your father had already got the property transferred to his name before the death of the Testator is not clear. If the property is already in your father's name in the official revenue records, then your father can transfer the property to either in your mother's name and/or in your name.

Shashidhar S. Sastry
Advocate, Bangalore
5623 Answers
339 Consultations

Unless the POA is coupled with interest it comes to an end with the death of the Principal. 

In this case when the POA was purely gratuitous it is no more subsisting with effect from date of death of your brother. 

Devajyoti Barman
Advocate, Kolkata
23653 Answers
537 Consultations

For this question,  the details of PoA are required.

Is there anything mentioned in that POA that it will be valid till he is alive or ownership transfer rights are mentioned in that or not.

Mainly,

That POA is invalid now and you need a succession Certificate in favour of the person to whom the property will be transferred. 

Thanks

Rahul Jatain
Advocate, Rohtak
5365 Answers
4 Consultations

Needs to check whether his legal heirs are present.

 

NO, the POA its irrevocable is not valid once the executor is dead. Now the property will get transfer on legal heirs name. 

 

If his Class I heirs are not there than you can apply for legal heirs as per Class II heirs list of the Indian Succession Act.

Ganesh Kadam
Advocate, Pune
13008 Answers
267 Consultations

On the death of your uncle the power of attorney stands revoked. 

Swarupananda Neogi
Advocate, Kolkata
2993 Answers
6 Consultations

Respected sir ...

Power of attorney only works till person is alive as in power of attorney once give right to another ....but once he died there can not be any right on your uncle's side ...in your case will can be executed and made by your uncle that would be an appropriate procedure ...yes it will help you in filling the declaration suit ...the property will be granted to you by court order....

 

Thank you

Dinesh Sharawat
Advocate, Delhi
1266 Answers
12 Consultations

Dear Sir,

Normally it ends on the death of the Principal. Any way read the following and discuss.

You need discussion if you wish particular solution to resolve your issue. You can get my mobile number from the administrators of this website.

Immediately approach police and also get issue a legal notice to him.  GPA is your agent and whenever he receive any consideration on sale of property he has to pay the same to your and get acknowledgment from you.  Without your acknowledgment it can not be said that amount was paid to you.

Irrecoverable Power Attorney is valid even after death in the following circumstances only

202. Termination of agency, where agent has an interest in subject-matter.—Where the agent has himself an interest in the property which forms the subject-matter of the agency, the agency cannot, in the absence of an express contract, be terminated to the prejudice of such interest.

Illustrations

(aA gives authority to B to sell A’s land, and to pay himself, out of the proceeds, the debts due to him from AA cannot revoke this authority, nor can it be terminated by his insanity or death.

(bA consigns 1,000 bales of cotton to B, who has made advances to him on such cotton and desires B to sell the cotton, and to repay himself, out of the price, the amount of his own advances. A cannot revoke this authority, nor is it terminated by his insanity or death.”

Thus, where the agent himself has an interest in the property which forms the subject-matter of the agency, such agency cannot be terminated to the prejudice of such interest in the absence of an express contract. This situation will generally arise when the agent acquires such an interest in the subject-matter property for some valuable consideration paid or payable to the principal. In such situations, the agency may be irrevocable. However, if there is an express contract between the agent and the principal that even in such a situation, the agency may be terminated (subject to conditions, if any), in that case such agency may also be terminable.

Accordingly, if there is an irrevocable Power of Attorney (POA) creating an interest in favour of the donee  of the POA in respect of the property which forms the subject-matter of the POA, which is generally for some valuable consideration paid or payable to the donor of the POA, then such POA may not be terminated even after the death of the donor of POA and may continue to be valid. It may be binding on the heirs / successors of the donor of POA in these circumstances.

Barring the above exception, generally speaking, a POA gets terminated by the death of either the donor or of the donee of the POA.

 

Procedure to cancel a GPA

 

A general power of attorney can cancelled by way of publication in the paper or sending the notice to the power of attorney holder. If the deed is registered, then it can revoked or cancelled by way of deed of revocation or cancellation. In your case, you can cancel the general power of attorney registered by sending a notice to the power of attorney holder or by executing a deed of cancellation with the general power of attorney holder.

Power of Attorney -

\\1. Introduction: In the modern world where commerce and industry have assured large and long roles to play, the need for entering into contracts of agreements in relation to business and other transactions have become a common and necessary feature of daily life. As man became busier it became more and more necessary for him to depend on others for getting his things done. The hectic activities of the businessmen and industrialists have made the execution of power of attorney for delegating his functions. Granting a Power of Attorney is a legal process that involves the drafting of a document which assigns to another person the power to act as your legal representative. Principal should be careful while authorising an agent as attorney to avoid inconvenience and expense of any legal proceedings in the future.


  1. The Statute:This act may be called as “POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT, 1882”, which was passed in the year 1882 on 24th feb and the act came into force on first day of May, 1882. This act applies to the whole of India except State of Jammu & Kashmir. The main aim of passing this statute is to make it easy for your designated attorney to access your finances and, in that way, take care of your property.

  2. Definition:According to the ‘Section: 1A’ of “POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT, 1882”, “A ‘Power Of Attorney’ includes any instruments empowering a specified person to act for and in the name of the person executing it”.

  3. Meaning:The term ‘Power Of Attorney’ is an authority given by an instrument by one person, called as the donor or principal, authorising another person, called donee or agent to act on his behalf. There may be possibility of giving ‘Power Of Attorney’ by two or more persons jointly to one or more persons. Here a legal authority is given by the principal to the agent which may be broad or limited and an agent can take all necessary decisions i.e. financial, property related matters and all other matters where principal cannot be present to sign or in the case of principal’s illness and disability. A paper signed by principal giving powers to an agent is sometimes itself called a power of attorney. A paper giving a power of attorney should be clear and understandable.

  4. Importance of Power of Attorney: A power of attorney document is an extremely important part of estate planning yet one of the most misunderstood. It is often convenient or even necessary to have someone else act for you as there is advancement in the business and commerce transactions. As many people confuse the power of attorney (POA) with a will (Probate), but these documents are two very different things and have two very different functions. A will comes into effect on the day person die. A POA applies during a person’s lifetime and ceases to apply when he dies. So you actually need both a POA and a will as they complement, and do not overlap, each other. To add a twist to the subject, there are two types of POA: one for property and one for personal care. These two types are completely separate. They deal with different areas of your life and both are required for effective estate planning.

  5. Classification of Attorney:The Power of Attorney can be classified into two categories which includes:

  6. General Power of Attorney:A general power of attorney is one by which an instrument is executed by the principal authorising the agent to do certain acts in general on his behalf. The word ‘General’ here means that the power must be general regarding the subject matter and not general with regard to powers in respect of a subject matter. If the subject matter is not general but restricted to something either specific or specifically mentioned by the principal while drafting an instrument then it will not constitute a general power of attorney. It is otherwise called as limited power of attorney.

  7. Special Power of Attorney:A special power of attorney is one by which a person is appointed by the principal to do some specified act or acts. In this type of power of attorney, an agent conferred with a power to do specific act in a single or specified transactions in the name of the principal.

III. Durable Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney which specifically says otherwise, agent’s power ends if principal become mentally incapacitated. However, a power of attorney may say that it is to remain in effect in the event of future incapacity of the principal. A power of attorney that says this is called a durable power of attorney.

To ascertain whether power of attorney is of general or special in nature, the subject matter in respect of which power is conferred Is to be seen accurately. The power of attorney is the unilateral document wherein donor or the principal gives authoritative power to the agent by signing the document and the agent’s sign is not always required.


  1. Persons Competent To Execute:A power of attorney can be executed by any person who is competent to enter into a contract. However, the married women can execute powers of attorney even if they are minors. A company while executing power of attorney must make conformity with the ‘Articles of Association’ and its common seal. A person must be competent to give power to the appointed person so that it will not affect the legality of the instrument/deed of power of attorney.

  2. Authentication of power of Attorney:As per Indian law, a power of attorney is a legal document that has to be properly framed, using the right legal terminology and setting out the objectives and responsibilities that you wish to authorise the appointee to carry out on your behalf. If a person wants to authorise someone to act as a power of attorney on his behalf, it must be signed and notarised by a certified notary advocate, who is able to declare that you are competent at the time of signing the document to issue the said power of attorney. You will need to show your ID to the notary advocate before he/she is able to certify and issue the document. It must be executed and authenticated by the registrar or sub-registrar of assurances as per the ‘Registration Act, 1908’.

  3. Presumption About Power of Attorney:A power of attorney is legal written document which has more legal value and the authenticated attorney will be presumed by the court as legal document under ‘Indian Evidence Act, 1872’. According to the Section: 85 of ‘Indian Evidence Act, 1872’, which provides that the court shall presume that every document purporting to be a power of attorney, and has to be clearly authenticate and executed before the notary or magistrate. If there is any issue arises concerning to the genuineness of the attorney then proof of its execution can be called for the verification.

  4. Language of The Power of Attorney:An instrument of power of attorney must always use the language known to the donor and if the donor is an illiterate person then scribe and identifier should explain all the contents of the document in the language known by the donor and it has to be certified by the donor that he has understood all the contents and then he has to put thumb mark on the document. Lastly the administrative officer will take the oath from the donor stating that he knows all the contents of the document and he knows the identifier. A sign and seal must be put by the administrative officer after complete verification of the document.

  5. Original Documents To Be Verified:A power of attorney which is accurately authenticated by the notary or any magistrate, an affidavit has to be filed with all the original documents of the power of attorney authorising an agent to do certain acts. All the documents will be verified by the court and then court will register power of attorney by putting seal and sign. It is very much essential to make the power of attorney valid.

  6. Powers of Attorney by Two or More Persons:A power of attorney may be executed by two or more persons jointly in favour of one or more persons and when there are several persons as attorneys a complete authorisation in letter to be given by one of them for acting severally. A clause should be included while drafting the deed of power of attorney that all the attorneys should act jointly or separately.

  7. Duration of Granted Power:A general power of attorney remains in force unless expressly revoked or determined by the death of either of the party. A special power of attorney will be in force until the specified act is not completed. Duration of the power will depend upon the type of the attorney or there may be a fixed period of power granted by the principal which must be included in the deed.

  8. Revocation of Power of Attorney:A power of attorney may be revoked at any time by the principal or donor by giving a written notice to the agent, unless it is for a particular fixed period. Revocation usually possible when principal dies or becomes insane or becomes bankrupt. The principal himself can revoke power of attorney if the business for which the agent was appointed is over as mutually agreed upon by the principal and agent. In case if principal has named a spouse or registered domestic partner as his agent, his or her authority to act under the power of attorney is automatically terminated in the event of divorce, legal separation or termination of the registered domestic partnership.

  9. Registration:A power of attorney is not compulsorily registrable unless it creates an interest in any immovable property i.e. charge in favour of donee. Registration of power of attorney is optional In India, where the ‘Registration Act, 1908’, is in force, the Power of Attorney should be authenticated by a Sub-Registrar only, otherwise it must be properly notarized by the notary especially where in case power to sell land is granted to the agent. If a power of attorney is in respect of an immovable property of value more than Rs100 it must be registered. Registration of power of attorney authenticates the deed of power of attorney.

  10. Stamp Duty:A power of attorney is chargeable under Section: 48 of Schedule 1 of the ‘Indian Stamp Act, 1899’. A stamp duty has to be paid compulsorily by the principal or donor in the jurisdictional registrar’s office.

  11. Legal Powers Which Can Be Granted To The Attorney:Broadly speaking a power of attorney provides an agent “all powers that the principal has” to manage the principal’s financial affairs or make health care decisions may be enough for many purposes. An agent may be authorised to:
  12. To execute all contracts, deeds, bonds, mortgages, notes, checks, drafts, money orders.
  13. To manage, compromise, settle, and adjust all matters pertaining to real estate.

iii. To lease, collect rents, grant, bargain, sell, or borrow and mortgage.

  1. To sell any and all shares of stocks, bonds, or other securities.
  2. To file, sign all tax returns, insurance forms and any other documents.
  3. To enter into contacts, and to perform any contract, agreement, writing, or thing to make, sign, execute, and deliver, acknowledge any contract, agreement.

vii. To make health-care decisions for the donor or his minor children.

viii. To sue on behalf of the principal.


  1. Qualifications of An Attorney: It is the duty of the Principal to appoint a responsible person as agent who should act with utmost good faith. An attorney is a person who has been appointed by the donor to act on his behalf. An ideal attorney is that who must be willing to act in that capacity and he has to be impartial having integrity. An attorney should be loyal to the donor and should not disclose any confidential matters related to the business.

  2. Duties of The Attorney Holder: An attorney holder is a person who is authorised by donor legally. An attorney must not exceed the authority given under the power of attorney. If the attorney does exceed their authority, he or she may be liable for any damages suffered by the donor or others. The attorney may, however, do all those acts which are authorised, but only by a particular method, if the power of attorney so indicates. If there is a breach of any condition by the attorney then he shall be liable to the donor except in a case where he has acted reasonably. If there is some doubt as to the wording of the power of attorney, a solicitor should always be consulted. The attorney holder must also act towards the donor with the utmost good faith and tell the donor the nature and extent of any interest which may conflict with his or her duty. An attorney may pass on his or her powers and duties to another person but only if authorised to do so by the power of attorney
  3. Other Related Aspects:

  4. Construction Rules:The general rule of power of attorney is that it should be strictly construed. Unless an express power is conferred on an agent to enter into contracts of guarantees on behalf of his principal or to execute or negotiate, negotiable instruments for his principal jointly with others. An agent cannot by his acts bind the principal to a larger extent than he is empowered to do under the power of attorney. He cannot be sued or otherwise held responsible for fraud by the agent. If the power does not authorise the agent to carry on a business except with limitations any act done by him in excess of such power will not bind the principal. For example power to dispose of property does not confer a power to mortgage the property. Power to manage immoveable property cannot permit principal’s ornaments which are a moveable proper.

  5. Drafting of Power of Attorney: A deed of power of attorney must be construed so as to include all powers necessary for its execution. There is no legal requirement that a power of attorney be prepared or reviewed by a lawyer. However, if important powers are going to be given to an agent, it is wise to get individual legal advice before signing a complicated form. A person who signs a power of attorney without fully understanding what it means, and without considering risks and alternatives, is asking for trouble. So a power of attorney must be drafted carefully and after knowing all its clauses written in the deed document.

  6. Risk Involved In Granting Power of Attorney:With a power of attorney, an agent is often entrusted with important decisions. And the agent may have access to some or all of Principal’s money or other property. If the agent is not trustworthy, serious problems can result. For example, if the agent is dishonest and runs away with Principal’s money, it may be difficult or impossible to get the money back. An agent is not permitted to use principal’s property for his or her own benefit unless he is expressly authorised to do so. Also, a principal will ordinarily be bound by the agent’s acts (even foolish acts) and will be responsible for the agent’s negligence while the agent is acting for the principal. For example, if an agent is authorized to manage your financial affairs and signs a contract to purchase something on your behalf, you will ordinarily have to pay for it, like it or not. It is obviously important to choose a trustworthy agent; if no trustworthy candidate is available, a power of attorney should not serve its purpose.

  7. Conclusion:A power of attorney is very essential legal document which can be admitted as a evidence in the court of law whenever there is any breach of trust by the attorney holder. It’s therefore essential that principal has great confidence in his designated attorney. An agents must be someone principal can trust, without reservation, to use his property for him and not for themselves, or anyone else.

 

Kishan Dutt Kalaskar
Advocate, Bangalore
6230 Answers
499 Consultations

Even though it is irrevocable POA Deed,  since it is not clubbed with consideration,  the POA deed stands cancelled automatically upon the death of the principal. 

Now the property shall devolve equally on all the legal heirs of deceased principal.

Your father cannot continue with the power of attorney deed executed to him by the deceased principal. 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89977 Answers
2492 Consultations

A power of attorney is an authority given by one person to another, authorising him to act on his behalf. After the death of your brother his irrevocable general power of attorney legally dead. It has no use. After the death his existence property transferred to his legal heirs. The holder has no right to act on POA.

Ajay N S
Advocate, Ernakulam
4124 Answers
114 Consultations

Property is not in your fathers name today. The power of attorney has elapsed with the death of your uncle. This property will pass on to his legal heirs after his death 

Vibhanshu Srivastava
Advocate, Lucknow
9763 Answers
323 Consultations

-  Generally, neither the principal nor the agent can cancel an irrevocable power of attorney , but a power of attorney is only valid during the life of the principal, and it expires upon the principal's death.

- The Supreme Generally, in a case titled as Seth Loon Karan Sethiya versus  Ivan E. John held , that the agency cannot be revoked where such agency is created in exchange for some valuable consideration and the authority granted by the agency is to secure the interests of the agent or to effectuate the security against such consideration.

- Further, As per Section 201 of the Indian Contact Act, 1872 , where the agent himself has an interest in the property, the agency can not be terminated unless there is an express contract for such termination, to the prejudice of the agency holder.

- Since, your fathers younger brother had given the GPA in favour of your father due to the reasons that he doesn't want the said property , and further the agent i.e your father has an interest in the said property himself , hence this irrevocable GPA is having legal value and not expired, and legally still is in your fathers name.

- However, you can transfer the said property to your mothers name or yours name as well. 

 

Good luck and dont forget to rating Positively. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
15814 Answers
242 Consultations

The power of attorney was a GPA. It means your father could deal with it as he liked. But after his death you cannot own it as the GPA has expired.

His property would be divided as per the personal law applicable.

Rahul Mishra
Advocate, Lucknow
14114 Answers
65 Consultations

Yes on death of the principal, the POA expires, unless it is coupled with consideration.

The  POA expires on the death of your uncle.

No the property will not be in your father's name.

The property devolves on legal heirs of your uncle viz., his wife and children.

Your father cannot transfer the property in your name or in your mother's name, since he does not have right / title over the property. 

 

S Srinivasa Prasad
Advocate, Hyderabad
2876 Answers
9 Consultations

Generally the POA gets revoked by death of principal but as you are telling it was irrevocable POA then your father can register the property on your name or your mother's name 

Mohit Kapoor
Advocate, Rohtak
10686 Answers
7 Consultations

POA expires with the death of the principal.

Transfer of property can not take place by executing POA in favour other without executing testamentary or non testamentary documents.

Kallol Majumdar
Advocate, Kolkata
2837 Answers
14 Consultations

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