does power of attorney become null and void when designated representative dies>

Designated representative dies (this person's cousin) does that make Power of attorney null and void? The court is asking for 5% of settlement in which settlement is $950,000. They want 5% of settlement ($47,500) because cousin died weeks before settlement would be released. It doese't sound right to me. They wouldn't even let it be drawn from settlement because that would be unprofessional. ??