Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Power of Attorney"

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{{DEMOWARNING}}
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[[File:Power of Attorney cover image.jpg|thumb|275px|right|<span style="font-size:50%;">Image via www.istock.com</span>]]''[[Power of Attorney]]'' tells you how a power of attorney can be used to give someone the authority to take care of your financial and legal affairs. It explains the types of power of attorney, who can be an attorney, their powers and responsibilities as attorney, and how to end such an arrangement.


The attorney is like your agent. He or she must act honestly, in good faith and in your best interests. Your attorney must keep careful records of any financial activities, and must keep your affairs separate from his or her own.
We have tried to use clear language throughout. See the "[[Glossary for Powers of Attorney|Glossary]]" section for definitions of key legal terms, which are also bolded in the text.


A general power of attorney gives your attorney the power to do anything financial or legal that you can’t do for yourself. this could include dealing with bank or credit union accounts, getting information from Canada Revenue Agency in order to do your income tax, insuring or selling your car, or selling real estate.
==Copyright & disclaimer==
[[File:Creativecommonssmall.png|alt=Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence]] ''Power of Attorney'', &copy;  People's Law School is, except for the images, made available under a Creative Commons [[Clicklaw Wikibooks Copyright Guide|Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence]].


You can also limit your attorney’s powers by making a specific power of attorney only for a specific task. For example, you can give someone power of attorney to sell a particular piece of property or you can give them powers for a limited period of time.
At [[People's Law School]], we believe accurate, plain English information can help people take action to work out their legal problems. This publication explains in a general way the law that applies in '''British Columbia, Canada'''. It is '''not intended as legal advice'''. For help with a specific legal problem, contact a legal professional. Some sources of legal help are highlighted in the "[[Where to Get Help for Powers of Attorney|Where to Get Help]]" section.


:'''Example:''' Anita makes a specific power of attorney so that her niece can deposit Anita’s pension cheques and pay her bills. The niece only has access to Anita’s bank account, and only until Anita comes home
==Contributors & acknowledgements==
from her trip.


==When does the power of attorney start?==
Contributors to this publication:
* Legal review: [[Kevin Smith]]
* Writing, editing and layout: Veronica Lorimer, [[Drew Jackson]], Bruce Grierson, and Elena Renderos


A power of attorney comes into effect as soon as it is signed. However, it does not have to be used immediately. Make sure your attorney knows when you want him or her to act.
This publication was made possible through the financial support of the [http://www.lawfoundationbc.org/ Law Foundation of BC], the [http://www.notaryfoundationofbc.ca/ Notary Foundation of BC], the Department of Justice Canada, and the Province of British Columbia.


==When does the power of attorney end?==
== About People's Law School ==


A specific power of attorney ends when the job it describes is done, i.e., the piece of property is sold, or on the date it says. You can also cancel a power of attorney at any time.
{| border="0" cellpadding="1"
|-
| [[File:Peopleslawschoollogo.png|75px|left|link=|alt=People's Law School logo]]
| [[People's Law School]] is a non-profit society in British Columbia, Canada dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. We provide free education and information to help people effectively deal with the legal problems of daily life.  


A general power of attorney automatically ends:
Contact us at [mailto:info@peopleslawschool.ca info@peopleslawschool.ca] or visit us online at [http://www.peopleslawschool.ca peopleslawschool.ca].
 
|}
* if you become incapable; unless you have an enduring power of attorney clause that makes a power of attorney continue to have effect if you are incapable.
* if your attorney dies; unless you name an alternate or more than one attorney,
* if you die
* if the court appoints “committee” to make decisions for you.
 
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[People's Law School]], 2014}}


{{Power of Attorney Navbox}}
{{Power of Attorney Navbox}}


{{Creative Commons for PLS
|title = Power of Attorney
|author =
}}
__NOGLOSSARY__
__NOGLOSSARY__

Latest revision as of 19:10, 25 March 2019

Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney full cover image.png
This page is from
Power of Attorney.
See the full contents.
Contents
Introduction
Preparing a Power of Attorney
Enduring Power of Attorney
Ending a Power of Attorney
Common Questions
Where to Get Help
Glossary ‎
From
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People's Law School
People's Law School
v • d • e
Image via www.istock.com

Power of Attorney tells you how a power of attorney can be used to give someone the authority to take care of your financial and legal affairs. It explains the types of power of attorney, who can be an attorney, their powers and responsibilities as attorney, and how to end such an arrangement.

We have tried to use clear language throughout. See the "Glossary" section for definitions of key legal terms, which are also bolded in the text.

Copyright & disclaimer

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence Power of Attorney, © People's Law School is, except for the images, made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence.

At People's Law School, we believe accurate, plain English information can help people take action to work out their legal problems. This publication explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada. It is not intended as legal advice. For help with a specific legal problem, contact a legal professional. Some sources of legal help are highlighted in the "Where to Get Help" section.

Contributors & acknowledgements

Contributors to this publication:

  • Legal review: Kevin Smith
  • Writing, editing and layout: Veronica Lorimer, Drew Jackson, Bruce Grierson, and Elena Renderos

This publication was made possible through the financial support of the Law Foundation of BC, the Notary Foundation of BC, the Department of Justice Canada, and the Province of British Columbia.

About People's Law School

People's Law School logo
 People's Law School is a non-profit society in British Columbia, Canada dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. We provide free education and information to help people effectively deal with the legal problems of daily life.

Contact us at info@peopleslawschool.ca or visit us online at peopleslawschool.ca.

v • d • e
Preparing a Power of Attorney
Enduring Power of Attorney
Ending a Power of Attorney
Common Questions
Resources
About



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