An (enduring) power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that appoints another person to make financial, legal, and sometimes health care decisions for you on your behalf if you do not have the physical or mental capacity to do so.
Tips & Links
Naming a power of attorney, especially if diagnosed with a chronic or life-limiting health condition, can provide some peace of mind knowing that a trusted person can make decisions on your behalf.
- Your Power of Attorney (POA) should name someone you trust in helping with financial, legal, and sometimes health care decisions. An “enduring’ power of attorney continues even when you are unable to make decisions on your own behalf.
- In BC, a regular power of attorney grants someone authority to manage your financial and legal affairs while you are still mentally capable. It becomes invalid if you become incapable of making decisions. In contrast, an enduring power of attorney remains effective even if you lose mental capacity, allowing your appointed attorney to continue managing your affairs without interruption.
- Learn about the role of an enduring power of attorney for your financial matters from the Government of Canada.
- Know that a written enduring power of attorney has specific legal requirements and should be witnessed by a notary or lawyer to ensure it is legal and valid.
Things You Can Do
- Get some of your questions answered about an enduring power of attorney by Nidus.ca.
- Explore how your enduring POA is part of your advance care plan by reviewing My Voice-An Advance Planning Guide.
- Learn about free legal counselling services for low-income seniors from Senior’s First BC.
Add your Power of Attorney to your My Health Care & Business Professionals PDF tool found in My People. List their contact information and any questions you have. Mywell Health helps you learn about and organize your decision documents in one place.