Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney document appoints another person to represent you for financial and legal decisions.

If you become incapacitated without a Power of Attorney, a family member must apply to Court to become your Committee. This is an expensive and slow process.                         << Back to Wills & Powers of Attorney page.

Preparing a Power of Attorney

If no family member comes forward as your Power of Attorney, the BC Public Guardian and Trustee is obliged to take over your affairs. This does not provide a personal service and your estate must pay for it.

You can appoint a spouse, adult offspring, friend, or family member to hold your Power of Attorney. You should appoint an alternate person too, just in case.

A Power of Attorney can be very specific, such as giving one particular person the authorization to execute one particular sort of banking transaction for you.

Ending a Power of Attorney

Give your attorney a written notice saying that their power has ended. Where a Power of Attorney has to do with land, a Notice of Revocation must be filed with the Land Title Office.

 

Choosing Your Attorney

An Attorney's authority starts from the moment the Power of Attorney is signed, not when the need arises, so it is essential that the person is trustworthy and available.

There are some precautions you can take to prevent the Power of Attorney from being used prematurely.

 

Representation Agreements

See Representation Agreement info.