In British Columbia, a Notary Public plays an important role in helping individuals and families handle key legal matters—especially those that require reliability, clarity, and proper documentation. While notaries are not lawyers, they are highly trained legal professionals with a defined scope of practice focused on non-contentious matters.

What Can a BC Notary Do?
A BC Notary Public is authorized through the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia to provide a range of legal services, including:

• Real Estate Transactions: Preparing and registering documents for purchases, sales, mortgages, and refinances through the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia.
  
• Wills & Estate Planning: Drafting simple wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements.
  
• Notarizations: Certifying true copies, witnessing signatures, and administering oaths and affidavits.
• Authentication & Certification: Assisting with documents intended for use outside of Canada.

What Is Outside a Notary’s Scope?
BC Notaries generally do not handle contentious legal matters, such as disputes, litigation, or complex family law issues. In those situations, clients are typically referred to a lawyer.

Why This Matters to Clients
The scope of a BC Notary’s practice is designed to provide accessible and efficient legal services for everyday needs—particularly in real estate and estate planning. For many transactions, working with a Notary can be a cost-effective and streamlined option.

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One of the most common questions I've been asked most about Power of Attorney (POA) is, what if I don't have a POA and I become incapable of making decisions for myself?  My answer is - you're going to create a lot of trouble for your family or whoever needs to help you to manage your affairs.

When an adult needs help managing their affairs because of mental incapability due to an illness, accident, disability or diseases associated with aging, their judgment may be impaired in some way. They may forget to pay bills or put money away and forget where it is. The adult may also be confused about banking, investments, property, and personal belongings. However, they may have planned ahead and authorized someone else to make decisions and managing their financial and legal affairs through an enduring power of attorney.

But what if the adult does not have a POA? 

Most people’s resolutions would include losing weight, exercising regularly, eating healthier so on and so forth.  Have you considered getting your estate and personal planning documents in order as this year’s resolution?

Wills, Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements are the most common and are probably one of the most important documents in your estate plan.  Accidents can happen without any forewarning.  In the direst circumstances, if you pass away without a will, basically you are leaving up to the law to determine how you want your estate to be distributed upon your death.  Your family or closest friends, while grieving for their recent loss, are also required to apply to the Court to be the administrator of your will.  In other instances, you suffer sever injury or illness and are not able to communicate with anyone, who’s going to handle your financial, legal, or personal care matters?  Your family, even your spouse, would not be legally to handle your matters.