Frequently asked questions
What to Bring to your Appointment
Clients are required to bring two (2) pieces of valid ID to all appointments. Expired ID cannot legally be accepted.
The first piece of ID is a government issued valid photo ID like a driver’s license, passport, firearm’s license, BCID card, or picture BC Services card.
Government issued means issued by a federal, provincial or territorial government (or by a foreign government if it is equivalent to a Canadian document). It must indicate your name, your photo, and a unique identifying number.
The second piece needs to verify the legal name of the individual which can include another piece of valid government issued ID or something like a credit card from a major bank, SIN card, or birth certificate.
Using our Office in your Real Estate Transaction
To use our office in your real estate transaction, you just need to tell your real estate agent, mortgage broker, or bank to send your conveyancing and/or mortgage instructions to us. Once we receive them, we will start working behind the scenes to gather information on your behalf like ordering tax searches, utility searches, title searches, mortgage and other payouts, and strata documents if necessary.
Our second step in the process is to call you for your personal information. What we need will depend on the type of transaction. The types of information we typically need is your full legal name, address and/or forwarding address, SIN, if you are a first time home buyer or claiming another exemption to Property Transfer Tax. We also need information on the property like if it is a rental or investment property. During this call we also usually schedule your appointment to come in to sign.
As we gather information on your transaction from 3rd parties, we may reach out to you again to provide additional documents to satisfy the requirements of your contract or lender. Lenders require confirmation of things like home insurance prior to funding a mortgage.
We work hard to ensure our clients get appointments that fit their schedule and deadlines to close the deals that are important to them. We understand the process of buying and selling homes or getting a new mortgage can be stressful. We pride ourselves on being easy to work with.
You will need to bring two (2) pieces of valid ID to your appointment.
Why you need a Will
Appointing an Executor: You can name an executor in your will, who will be responsible for managing your estate, paying off debts, and distributing assets according to your instructions. This ensures that someone you trust is overseeing your affairs after your death.
Distribution of Assets: A will allows you to specify how you want your assets, such as property, money, investments, and personal belongings, to be distributed after your death. Without a will, your assets may be distributed according to the default laws of intestacy, which might not align with your wishes.
Appointing Guardianship: If you have minor children, a will allows you to designate a guardian who will take care of them in the event of your death. Without a will, the court will decide who should take custody of your children, and this might not be in line with your preferences. A notary will work with you to understand the laws and how to draft a will to support your appointed guardian that aligns with your wishes.
Reduce Family Disputes: A clear and well-drafted will can help prevent potential disputes among family members over the distribution of your estate. When your wishes are explicitly laid out, it can reduce the likelihood of disagreements and legal battles. A notary can advise on the laws in B.C. around the distribution of your estate to decrease the chances of your will being contested in the future so your wishes stand.
Business Affairs: If you own a business or have business interests, a will can appoint your executor to manage your business affairs on your death.
Expressing Personal Wishes: A will allows you to communicate your personal wishes and values, ensuring that your legacy is preserved according to your own beliefs.
What to expect in a will appointment
Drafting wills may seem daunting, but we are professionals that make the process quick and stress-free. There is nothing you need to do to prepare. The first meeting we get to know you and discuss your wishes such as who to appoint as executor and the distribution of your estate. We can do wills for individuals or couples in the same meeting. The second meeting we go over the drafts of your will, make any changes needed, and sign them together with another witness. You will take your executed wills with you for safekeeping.
For further information on what a will is and the importance of drafting a will with a notary public please use the link below.
You will need to bring two (2) pieces of valid ID to your appointment.
What a Power of Attorney is
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a document to authorize attorney(s) you have named to act on your behalf with respect to your property, financial, and legal affairs. An Enduring Power of Attorney permits your attorney to manage your affairs even if you become mentally incapacitated. It does not give your attorney(s) the legal right to make medical or personal decisions on your behalf.
Without a power of attorney, if you become incapacitated, your loved ones will need to go through a time-consuming and costly legal process to have a guardian appointed to manage your affairs through the court. A power of attorney that isn’t executed by a legal professional is unlikely to be accepted with third parties like banks, Land Title Office, or ICBC
A power of attorney executed by a legal professional or a court appointment guardian called a committee is the only accepted form to appoint an alternate decision maker for land and property in BC. For example, if your family needs to sell your home to pay for your care or because you can no longer live there. A power of attorney executed by Coastal Notary Group would help avoid the need for court intervention to appoint a guardian if the situation arose.
Why you need a Power of Attorney
Incapacity Planning: Life is unpredictable, and there might come a time when you are unable to make decisions due to an accident, illness, or cognitive decline. Appointing an attorney allows you to choose someone you trust to manage your financial and legal matters if you are incapacitated.
Continuity of Financial Affairs: If you become temporarily unable to manage your financial affairs, having a Power of Attorney ensures that bills are paid and other financial transactions can continue without disruption. This can even mean that you are going away on holidays and cannot manage your affairs from abroad for any reason.
Personalized Decision-Making: By appointing an attorney, you can choose someone who understands your values and preferences to make decisions on your behalf. This person can make choices that align with your wishes, even if you are unable to communicate them directly.
Avoiding Court Intervention: Without a power of attorney, if you become incapacitated, your loved ones will need to go through a time-consuming and costly legal process to have a guardian appointed to manage your affairs through the court.
This is especially important if you own a home. If your family needs to sell your home to pay for your care or because you can no longer live there, they cannot do that without a power of attorney executed by a legal professional or a court appointment guardian called a committee. The Land Title Office will not accept anything else. A power of attorney executed by a notary public can help avoid the need for court intervention to appoint a guardian.
Long-Term Planning: As you age, having a power of attorney in place can be crucial for managing your finances, and other important matters. It's especially relevant for individuals who want to plan for their senior years.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that you have a trusted person designated to handle your affairs can provide peace of mind to both you and your loved ones.
Preventing Family Disputes: Appointing an attorney can help prevent potential disputes among family members about who should make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
What a Representation Agreement is
A Representation Agreement is a document to authorize representative(s) you have named to act with you or on your behalf with respect to your medical and person care decisions.
You designate someone you trust as your representative to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to communicate your wishes. This can include decisions about medical treatments, medications, surgeries, and end-of-life care.
Beyond healthcare, a representative can also make personal care decisions such as where you will live, what types of social and recreational activities you will engage in, and who can visit you.
Your appointment representative is legally entitled to your medical information, which they may not otherwise be. Medical professionals are bound by doctor-patient confidentiality and cannot release information without your consent.
In specific situations set out in law, medical professionals can consult with a temporary substitute decision maker to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are not able. There is a hierarchy of individuals that may make those decisions. If you would like to appointment someone different than the default law, you must do so in a representation agreement. Temporary substitute decision makers also have limited decision making powers in comparison to an appointed representative.
Why you need a Representation Agreement
Advocacy: Your representative can act as your advocate and ensure that your wishes are communicated and respected by healthcare professionals and other caregivers.
Avoiding Conflict: Appointing a representative can help avoid potential conflicts among family members or loved ones about what decisions should be made for you. Your appointed representative will have legal authority to make decisions, minimizing disagreements.
Continuity of Care: Having a trusted representative can ensure continuity of care, especially in situations where quick decisions are necessary. This is particularly important if you have specific medical needs or conditions that require prompt attention.
Easing Burden on Family: When you appoint a representative, you relieve your family members or close friends of the burden of making difficult decisions on your behalf. This can also help reduce stress during already challenging times.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that someone you trust is designated to make decisions in your best interests can provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind.
Where to Park
We are fortunate to have ample street parking directly in front of the building. There is also a public parking lot half a block from us on Cedar Street in front of the Strathcona Regional District building. See the City of Campbell River’s link to a map of all of downtown’s parking locations.
We are Accessible and Inclusive
As you can see from the map, there is plenty of parking immediately in front of our building and designated disabled areas. We are located on the first floor with no steps to access our front door or anywhere inside. Our client rooms can accommodate all sizes of manual and electric wheelchairs. Our washroom is also accessible for everyone. We value all our clients, and all are welcome in our office.
Qualifications for First Time Home Buyers
If you qualify for the First Time Home Buyer property transfer tax exemption, Coastal Notary Group will apply for the exemption when we file the property transfer tax return on registration of the purchase of your new home.
To qualify for a full exemption, at the time the property is registered you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have never owned a registered interest in a property that was your principal residence anywhere in the world at any time.
- Have never received a first time home buyers' exemption or refund.
Have either:
- Lived in B.C. for at least a year immediately before the date you register the property, or
- Filed at least 2 income tax returns as a B.C. resident in the last 6 taxation years immediately before the registration date.
and the property must:
- Only be used as your principal residence
- Have a fair market value of $500,000 or less
- Be 0.5 hectares (1.24 acres) or smaller
You may qualify for a partial exemption from the tax if the property:
- Has a fair market value less than $525,000
- Is larger than 0.5 hectares
- Has another building on the property other than the principal residence
To keep the tax exemption, you must have:
- Moved into your home within 92 days of the date the property was registered
- occupied the property as your principal residence up to the first anniversary of the registration date
- You may keep part of the exemption if you moved out before the end of the first year.
- If the owner passed away, or the property is transferred because of a separation agreement or a court order under the Family Law Act before the first anniversary of the registration date, you still qualify to keep the tax exemption.
If you qualify for the program, but didn't apply when you registered your home, you may apply for a refund from the first anniversary to 18 months after the registration date.
See the Government of BC link for additional information: