Seniors experiencing a loss of autonomy
Power of attorney: What you need to know
A power of attorney is a contract through which you appoint a person to represent you or carry out certain legal acts on your behalf. Here’s what you need to know about powers of attorney, also known as “mandates.”
Authorizing a person to act on your behalf
A power of attorney is used to authorize one or more people you trust to carry out certain tasks on your behalf. This person can be a family member, friend or professional, such as a lawyer, notary or accountant.
A power of attorney can be useful in these cases:
- You’re too busy to manage your own affairs.
- You want someone else to take care of some of your more complicated tasks.
- You have trouble going places to manage some of your affairs.
A power of attorney can be general or specific. For example, you can give a power of attorney to a family member to sell your house, sign a lease or pay some of your bills.
How to prepare a power of attorney
A power of attorney can be verbal or written. You can prepare one on your own or get help from someone such as a notary.
A power of attorney is a type of contract. It’s important to understand exactly what you’re delegating, to whom you are delegating it, and to provide consent freely when signing.
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Warning
The information presented on this page is not a legal opinion or legal advice. This page explains in a general way the law that applies in Quebec. To obtain a legal opinion or legal advice on your personal situation, consult a legal professional.