The BC Notaries Association represents highly trained professionals from across British Columbia who provide legal services on a wide range of non-contentious legal matters including real estate transfers, wills and advanced healthcare planning, powers of attorney, mortgage refinancing and other important legal documents.
BC Notaries are competent and qualified to provide a broad range of legal services.
The process of conveyancing is complex, but BC Notaries can help ensure your real estate transaction goes smoothly with the timely transfer of residential and commercial property from one party to another.
As your representative, a Notary acts on your behalf with mortgage lenders and the Land Title And Survey Authority of BC to complete all legal matters related to conveyancing; including financing, changes in ownership/title, and the purchase and sale of property.
Estate Planning is about more than creating a Will. In case of death or incapacity, an Estate Plan outlines your wishes for all aspects of your life; and includes a list of contacts, passwords, financial information to make it easier for your loved ones and appointed representatives to make decisions and settle your affairs.
BC Notaries are skilled and knowledgeable in all aspects of Estate Planning. A Notary can help you put together a complete and thorough Estate Plan that includes a Will, Power of Attorney and Representation Agreement; and suggest strategies for business owners, blended families, cohabitation agreements, or any other circumstances that may need to be considered.
Having a Will means peace of mind, for you and your loved ones. As highly educated legal advisors commissioned by the Supreme Court, BC Notaries can help you make plans to ensure your children, family members, and assets are taken care of according to your wishes. Without a Will, the division of your estate and important decisions about the future of any dependent children could fall to the courts. Notaries can help you prepare a Will that provides clear direction about your wishes, so that you can rest easy knowing your estate will be settled as you intended.
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to assign another person the legal authority to act on your behalf to handle your legal and financial affairs. You may assign a Power of Attorney temporarily—for example, if you need someone to complete banking transactions for you while you’re on vacation. Or, you may assign a Power of Attorney in advance in the event that you become incapable of managing your own affairs. A Notary can prepare a Power of Attorney document; and help you decide who to appoint and what powers to give them.
A Health Representation Agreement allows you to choose someone you trust to make healthcare and personal care agreements for you, should you become incapable of speaking for yourself. You can also assign a representative if you wish to have support with your healthcare decisions, even if you are currently capable of making those decisions on your own. A BC Notary can help you create a Health Representation Agreement to ensure you will receive healthcare that aligns with your wishes, values, and beliefs.
Some documents require authentication by a BC Notary to witness signatures, verify the identity of those who are signing, and ensure all parties understand what they are signing. You may also need to have a photocopied document notarized to certify that it is a true copy of the original. Examples of documents that may require notarization include authorization of minor child travel, healthcare declarations, Powers of Attorney, commercial and residential real estate documents, criminal record checks, and proof of identity documents.
