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ARTICLE · 09 JANUARY 2018

Signing Documents As A Power Of Attorney

Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP
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Signing the name of the adult who appointed you rather than your own signature makes it clear that you are signing for the adult as if the adult...

CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Mary Hamilton
Mary Hamilton
Aubrie Girou
Aubrie Girou
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Did you know...[1]

If you are appointed as an attorney under a power of attorney instrument, any documents you sign in your capacity as an attorney should be signed with the name of the adult who gave the power of attorney and your name.  We typically recommend the following procedure:

  1. First, sign the name of the adult who appointed you;
  2. Second, write "by" and then sign your own name; and
  3. Third, add the following qualification, "attorney-in-fact" after your signature.

Signing the name of the adult who appointed you rather than your own signature makes it clear that you are signing for the adult as if the adult, not you, was personally signing the document (that is, you are signing as an agent and not assuming any personal liability).

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