When Should I Get a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney is a powerful legal document that allows you to pick one or a team of people to assist you with your legal affairs in the event that you are unable to attend to your own. You may not be able to manage your legal affairs because of incapacity, but also because you are absent from the city or country for a period of time or because you are physically unable to do so (like breaking both of your wrists in a rollerblading accident). You can only sign a Power of Attorney if you meet the legal, not medical, test for capacity. As I would imagine that none of you are able to schedule even the day or the week that you may lose your capacity, a Power of Attorney is an important part planning at any and all stages of your life.

Without a Power of Attorney, which is effective only while you are alive, you are ensuring that a trusted person or institution in your life has the authority to manage your affairs – pay bills, obtain information, access funds for care, sign on your behalf and all the legal decisions involved in your daily life.

A Power of Attorney is an important and powerful document that is needed before it is needed. Call us at (604) 980-8571 and ask for Doug Crawford or Elizabeth Mah to set up an appointment to have your questions answered or to execute a Power of Attorney.

PS. This blog is NOT meant to frighten – but to enlighten.