When putting together a power of attorney, it is important to know the benefits of having a notary public aid in assembling the documents. At Sidhu & Associates, we are an Abbotsford notary who provides assistance in the entire process involved in creating a legally valid power of attorney document. Knowing when a power of attorney needs to be notarized can be tricky, so we offer assistance to clients to ensure that their document is valid.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney is a legally binding document that gives one person authority to act on behalf of another in financial and legal affairs. There are many reasons that a power of attorney might be drawn up; if somebody is going to be out of the country for an extended period of time, they might need somebody to handle property, banking, or business affairs on their behalf. It is extremely common for powers of attorney to be created for individuals who are advancing in age or have a debilitating mental or medical condition.
When Does a Power of Attorney Need to be Notarized?
Although it is not legally required to have a power of attorney notarized in most jurisdictions and situations, there are circumstances that will require notarization in order to make the document legally valid. If the power of attorney allows for the sale or disposal of property, a notary will need to be involved. In most other situations, a power of attorney will simply require the signatures of witnesses.
Despite the fact that it is not always necessary to have a power of attorney notarized, it is always recommended. A power of attorney has a high degree of authority over matters that are potentially life-changing, so having the document examined by an experienced and unbiased set of eyes can help to ensure that no mistakes are made and that your best interests are properly represented.
To learn more about why a power of attorney should be notarized, or to find out about any services that Sidhu & Associates offers, please contact us at 604-859-4825 or fill out a contact form on our website and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
