BC Powers of Attorney
Prepare for the future with a British Columbia Power of Attorney — fully editable legal templates for B.C. residents.
Unexpected illness, injury, or incapacity can happen at any time. Creating a British Columbia Power of Attorney helps ensure your finances, property, and legal matters can continue to be managed by someone you trust.
Download your fully editable British Columbia Power of Attorney form today and take an important step toward protecting yourself, your family, and your future.
For more estate planning information, see Wills and Estate Planning Forms for Canada.
What Is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives another person the authority to act on your behalf. In British Columbia, the person granting authority is called the “adult,” while the person receiving authority is called the “attorney.”
Despite the name, your attorney does not need to be a lawyer. Your attorney can be:
- A spouse or partner
- An adult child
- A family member
- A trusted friend
- Another person you trust to handle your affairs responsibly
Depending on the type of Power of Attorney, your attorney may be authorized to manage:
- Banking and financial transactions
- Property and real estate matters
- Investments and retirement accounts
- Business operations
- Legal and contractual matters
- Bill payments and debt management
- Health care decisions.
The provincial Power of Attorney Act is the legislation that governs the creation, revocation, interpretation and application of powers of attorney in the Province of British Columbia.
Why British Columbia Residents Should Have a Power of Attorney
Whether you are planning for the future, helping aging parents, preparing estate documents, or managing unexpected medical situations, a British Columbia Power of Attorney can provide clarity, authority, and peace of mind.
Many people assume that a spouse, adult child, or close family member can automatically manage their affairs if they become incapacitated. In reality, financial institutions, government agencies, and other organizations often require formal legal authorization before allowing another person to act on your behalf.
Without a valid B.C. Power of Attorney:
- Your loved ones may face delays accessing accounts or managing property
- The court may need to appoint a guardian or decision-maker
- Legal proceedings can become costly and time-consuming
- Important financial and legal decisions may be delayed
Creating a Power of Attorney allows you to choose who will act for you instead of leaving that decision to the courts.
Our downloadable British Columbia Power of Attorney forms make it easy for you to:
- Appoint a trusted attorney (agent) to act for you
- Authorize someone to manage your financial and legal affairs
- Prepare for incapacity or medical emergencies
- Avoid unnecessary court applications
- Maintain control over who makes decisions on your behalf
- Revoke or cancel an existing Power of Attorney when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About British Columbia Power of Attorney Forms
Q. Can my spouse or family member automatically manage my affairs if I become unable to?
A. Not necessarily. While family members may be able to assist with limited personal matters, banks, investment firms, government offices, and businesses often require written legal authority before allowing someone to handle your finances or legal affairs.
A British Columbia Power of Attorney provides that legal authority.
Q. Is there a specific law that regulates what has to be included in a power of attorney form in British Columbia?
A. Yes. The British Columbia Power of Attorney Act sets out the requirements of a power of attorney, as well as what the duties and obligations of an attorney are, how the appointment can be revoked, and what powers your attorney does and does not have under the law.
Q. Does my attorney have to be a lawyer?
A. No. The word “attorney” simply means a person authorized to act on your behalf. Your attorney does not need to be a lawyer and is often a trusted spouse, partner, family member, or friend.
Q. Who can make a power of attorney in BC?
Any adult person (19 years or older) who is capable of making their own decisions and can understand the impact and consequences of signing the document can appoint an attorney to act for them.
Q. Am I legally required to make a power of attorney in British Columbia?
A. No. Creating a Power of Attorney is completely voluntary. However, if you become mentally incapable without one in place, your loved ones may need to apply to the court for authority to manage your affairs.
By preparing a Power of Attorney now, you retain control over who will make decisions for you.
Q. Can I revoke my power of attorney if I change my mind?
A. Yes. As long as you remain mentally capable, you can cancel or revoke your British Columbia Power of Attorney at any time using a Revocation of Power of Attorney form.
What are the benefits of using these B.C. Power of Attorney Templates?
Our British Columbia Power of Attorney forms are designed to be practical, affordable, and easy to customize. Features include:
- Fully editable legal templates
- Reusable forms that can be used by multiple persons in your household at no extra cost
- Instant download access
- Simple formatting and instructions
- Suitable for British Columbia residents
- Professional document structure
- Easy customization for your situation
- Written and reviewed by legal professionals, updated as and when necessary
These forms are ideal for estate planning, incapacity planning, elder care preparation, and personal legal organization.
Additional Resources
- Power of Attorney Act, [RSBC 1996], Chapter 370
- Representation Agreement Act, [RSBC 1996], Chapter 405
- B.C. Estate Planning - an easy checklist
- British Columbia Estate Planning Package
- Is it time to appoint a guardian or trustee for your aging parent?
British Columbia Enduring Power of Attorney Package
Make an Enduring Power of Attorney with this package of forms for the Province of British Columbia.
The package contains the following items:
- Making an Enduring Power of Attorney for British Columbia, which explains what a Power of Attorney is, how the document should be filled out and signed, and what the risks are in appointing an attorney to handle your affairs,
- Enduring Power of Attorney form,
- Statutory Declaration of Attorney for Land Titles form, required by the BC Land Title Office to allow your attorney to deal with your real estate property,
- Statutory Declaration for Evidence of Authority of Alternate Attorney..
This 10-page British Columbia Enduring Power of Attorney Forms Package is available in MS Word format, and is easy to use and understand.
British Columbia Revocation of Power of Attorney
Cancel your Power of Attorney with this Revocation of Power of Attorney form for BC residents.
- So long as you have mental capacity and can understand the impact of what you are doing, you have the right to cancel an existing Power of Attorney at any time, and revoke the powers you gave to your agent (attorney).
- Once you have signed the form, give a copy of it to the attorney.
- You should also give a copy to any banks, financial institutions, medical facilities, etc. that had a copy of your original Power of Attorney.
- The form should be signed in front of a witness, and includes an Affidavit of Attestation to be sworn by the witness.
- The British Columbia Revocation of Power of Attorney is a free downloadable legal form.
British Columbia Representation Agreement Package (Section 7)
Make sure that your wishes are followed in the event that you become physically or mentally incapacitated, with this Representation Agreement Package (Section 7) for the Province of British Columbia.
- A Representation Agreement allows you to appoint someone you trust as your representative to make decisions for you in the event you become unable to do so. These decisions include medical care, living conditions, personal, financial and legal matters.
- This form is referred to as a Section 7 Agreement, which means that you grant your representative only the limited powers set out under Section 7 of the Representation Agreement Act.
- The package contains:
- Representation Agreement,
- Form 1, Certificate of Representative and Alternate Representative,
- Form 2, Certificate of Monitor,
- Form 4, Certificate of Witnesses,
- Statutory Declaration for Evidence of Authority of Alternate Representative,
- Instructions to help you complete the Section 7 Representation Agreement.
- Available in MS Word format.
- Intended to be used only in the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
British Columbia Representation Agreement Package (Section 9)
BC residents, make sure that your wishes are followed in the event that you become incapacitated, with this Representation Agreement Package (Section 9).
- A Representation Agreement allows you to appoint someone as your representative to make decisions for you if you are not able to do so. These decisions include medical care, living conditions, personal, financial and legal matters.
- This legal form is referred to as a Section 9 Agreement, which means that you grant your representative the broad and general powers set out under Section 9 of the British Columbia Representation Agreement Act.
- The package contains:
- Representation Agreement,
- Statutory Declaration for Evidence of Authority of Alternate Representative,
- Notes on Completing a Representation Agreement.
- Download the British Columbia Representative Agreement Package (Section 9) and appoint your representative today.
- Available in MS Word format.
Estate Planning Forms Package — British Columbia
Make your will and plan for the future with this package of estate planning documents for British Columbia residents — Will, Power of Attorney, and Representation Agreement.
Planning ahead is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family, your finances, and your future.
This comprehensive B.C. Estate Planning Package includes the essential legal documents you need to prepare for unexpected events, name someone to manage your affairs if you become unable to do so, and ensure your wishes are respected.
The downloadable, editable forms in this package allow you to create, update, and organize your estate planning documents from the comfort of your own home.
Learn more about making a will in British Columbia.
What is included in the British Columbia Estate Planning Package?
Designed specifically for British Columbia residents, this convenient downloadable package includes the following professionally prepared templates:
1. British Columbia Enduring Power of Attorney
The Enduring Power of Attorney lets you name someone you trust to manage your property and financial affairs on your behalf, if you are unable to or you choose not to manage them yourself.
Your Power of Attorney gives your attorney the power to make the decisions and take the actions involving your financial or legal affairs that you can do for yourself. This can include a range of transactions, including:
- managing your banking and investment accounts
- running your business
- doing your income tax
- obtaining insurance
- buying or selling real estate and personal property (such as vehicles)
The Enduring Power of Attorney is an important part of a B.C. complete estate plan because it allows YOU to choose who will act on your behalf rather than leaving decisions to be made without your input.
2. British Columbia Revocation of Power of Attorney Form
This Revocation of Power of Attorney form allows you to formally cancel a previously granted Power of Attorney.
Use this document when you want to terminate an existing appointment and no longer wish the named attorney to have authority to act on your behalf.
3. British Columbia Section 9 (Enhanced) Representation Agreement with Limited and General Powers
The Section 9 Representation Agreement (Enhanced) (also called an RA9) gives you the means to appoint a representative as your agent, to make major health care and personal care decisions for you if you become unable to do so. This template is prepared in accordance with Section 9 of the Representation Agreement Act.
This document lets you grant your agent broad powers to make decisions about your healthcare and living situation, such as:
- where you can live, including assisted living or a care facility
- if and where you can work
- who you can have contact with
- what types of social and physical activities you participate in
- personal care and hygiene decisions
- consent to or refusal of health care
- access to medical records
The RA9 form does NOT give your agent the authority to manage your finances, business or legal affairs.
4. British Columbia Section 7 (Standard) Representation Agreement
The Section 7 Representation Agreement (Standard) lets you appoint a representative (agent) to help you with health care and personal care decisions, manage your financial affairs, and other matters that you specify in the document. This template is prepared in accordance with Section 7 of the Representation Agreement Act.
This document lets you grant your agent broad powers to make decisions about:
- personal care, including living arrangements, nutrition, personal hygiene, activities, and socializing
- management of routine financial affairs such as banking, filing tax returns, managing investments, and applying for benefits
- obtaining legal services, going to Small Claims Court, settling insurance claims
- health care matters including medications, diagnostic tests, dental work, surgery, and end-of-life comfort care
However, your agent CANNOT make decisions regarding:
- refusal of life-sustaining medical care
- divorce proceedings
- selling or managing real property.
5. Legal Will Kit for Canada
This comprehensive Canadian Legal Will Kit provides the information, instructions, and forms needed to prepare your own legally structured will.
The Canadian Will Kit package includes:
- A customizable Last Will and Testament template
- Step-by-step information and instructions
- Guidance to help you complete your will correctly
- Comprehensive estate planning questionnaire
Creating a will allows you to:
- Decide how your property and assets will be distributed
- Name beneficiaries
- Appoint an executor to administer your estate
- Provide instructions regarding your final wishes
- Help reduce uncertainty and stress for your family
Why do you need a British Columbia estate plan?
Many people put off estate planning because they assume it is only necessary for seniors, or for people with significant assets. In fact, every Canadian adult can benefit from having documents that explain their wishes and appoint trusted decision-makers.
Without proper planning, your family may face additional stress, delays, or uncertainty when dealing with your financial affairs, health care decisions, or estate administration.
A complete British Columbia estate plan can help you:
- Make the decision-making process easier for your family and loved ones
- Maintain control over important healthcare and financial decisions
- Choose who manages your affairs if you become unable to do so
- Clearly communicate your wishes
Why should I buy this B.C. estate planning package?
- Assistance and guidance. Each document in this Estate Planning Package comes with instructions and information to guide you through it.
- Reusable, editable forms. These fully editable MS Word forms are reusable and can be used by more than one person in your household, making this an affordable and practical way to organize your estate planning documents.
- Easy download. The documents are compiled into a .zip file for easy downloading and extraction.
- Compliance with laws. These Estate Planning Package forms are compliant with Canadian tax laws and the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
- Save money. Purchasing this all-in-one Estate Planning Package saves you 40% compared with purchasing each document separately.
Prepare your British Columbia will, Power of Attorney, and Representation Agreement today and gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have planned for future eventualities.
Additional Resources
- What is estate planning?, IG Wealth Management
- Why every Canadian should make a legally valid will, Empire Life
- Explaining the words and phrases commonly found in a Will, MegaDox.com
- Top Tips to Avoid Estate Tax in Canada, Munroe & Crawford

