The Notary Group

05/23/2026

One of the hardest parts of acting under a Power of Attorney often has nothing to do with banking or paperwork.

It’s the family dynamics.

- the questions
- the pressure
- the second-guessing.
- the accusations that you’re “hiding things.”

In British Columbia, acting as an Attorney means balancing family communication with your Adult’s right to privacy and dignity.

Not every family member automatically gets access to financial information — even when emotions are running high.

This week’s excerpt from So You’re an Attorney under a Power of Attorney: A Practical Guide for Attorneys in British Columbia looks at the difficult balance between privacy, transparency, and family expectations.

Get the book here, so you can learn more:

https://thenotarygroup.ca/product/so-youre-an-attorney-under-a-power-of-attorney-2/

03/28/2026

Here's a scenario where people get into real trouble.

In BC, an Attorney's duties usually start as soon as they sign the Power of Attorney appointing them. Under the old system, Attorneys would sign it, put it away in a drawer, then forget about it. But things have changed.

Now....once you accept that appointment… you're responsible for new rules and fiduciary duties. You might be shocked to know that you could be found personally liable for things you should have been paying attention to.

Imagine this:

Your Adult has a house fire or a car accident… and it turns out they didn't have proper insurance in place. As the Attorney, if you've accepted your appointment, you could personally be on the hook for not properly protecting those assets. Even if your Adult hasn't asked you to help them yet.

The law has changed. The practice needs to change with it.

This is one of the issues covered in our book So You're an Attorney under a Power of Attorney: A Practical Guide for Attorneys in British Columbia. This guide helps you understand what it means to act as an Attorney in BC.

Click here to get your copy today: https://lnkd.in/gyp4JZ9C

03/02/2026

Acting as an Attorney under a Power of Attorney sounds straightforward — until you actually have to do it.
Many people in British Columbia are surprised to learn that an Attorney must always act in the best interests of the adult, and cannot use their authority to benefit themselves ahead of the person they are helping. This means you can't just start giving away your Adult's assets.

We regularly see well-meaning family members struggling to understand what their role allows — and what it doesn’t.

Our practical guide explains the responsibilities of an Attorney in plain language, with real-world examples.

Learn more or order your copy here:
https://thenotarygroup.ca/.../so-youre-an-attorney-under.../

02/28/2026

Acting as an Attorney under a Power of Attorney sounds simple — until you actually have to do it.

One of the biggest surprises for many Attorneys in BC is that they must always put the Adult’s interests ahead of their own. You might be surprised to know this means you usually can't transfer your Adult's assets to you or other family members.

If you’re helping a parent, spouse, or family member, this guide explains what you need to know in plain language.

Find out more here: https://thenotarygroup.ca/product/so-youre-an-attorney-under-a-power-of-attorney/

02/21/2026

We did a thing! Vicky Helmink and I have written a book helping people understand how to act as an Attorney under a Power of Attorney!

If you have ever been appointed as an Attorney, and you have no idea what you are doing, this book is for you! It covers off all the rules and has great tips for how to manage the paperwork.

You can buy a softcover book ($54.95) or an ebook ($35.00). It comes with helpful checklists and other resources to get you through the work more smoothly!

Happy reading!

https://thenotarygroup.ca/.../so-youre-an-attorney-under.../

Have you been named as an Attorney under a Power of Attorney? Now there's a practical guide for Attorneys in British Columbia! You can buy: The softcover online for $54.95 plus shipping and taxes The softcover from one of The Notary Group offices for $54.95 plus taxes The eBook for $35.00 plus taxes...