Power of Attorney for Property

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: QAFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Understanding


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.

  • Identify the purpose for which a power of attorney for property may be used.† 
  • Explain risks associated with failing to appoint a power of attorney for property. 
  • Identify names of documents used to denote that an individual or entity has decision-making power for property of another individual, such as:
    • Power of attorney
    • Power of attorney for property
    • Mandate 
  • Identify the factors to consider in choosing an attorney for property.1
  • Identify types of powers of attorney for property.
    • Limited
    • General
    • Continuing/enduring
    • Contingent/springing  
  • Explain when the attorney’s power under a power of attorney for property becomes effective.
    • Limited
    • General
    • Continuing/enduring
    • Contingent/springing 
  • Explain when the attorney’s power under a power of attorney for property ceases to be effective. 
    • Limited
    • General
    • Continuing/enduring
    • Contingent/springing 
  • Explain responsibilities of an attorney under a power of attorney for property, such as:
    • To act in the best interest of the donor 
    • To keep accurate records of dealings/transactions undertaken on the donor’s behalf
    • To act for the donor with the utmost good faith and to avoid situations where there is a conflict of interest 
    • To keep the property and money of the donor separate from their own  
  • Identify actions that an attorney for property may engage in on behalf of the grantor, such as: 
    • Open, operate, and close financial accounts
    • Purchase investments according to the statutory rules for investing
    • Apply for benefits to which the grantor is entitled
    • Buy goods and services 
    • Lend, sell, store or dispose of personal property
    • Purchase, maintain or sell real property
    • Start or defend lawsuits
    • Receive information and documentation that the grantor is entitled to receive 
  • Identify actions that an attorney for property may undertake on behalf of the grantor when specifically provided for in the power of attorney document or by the courts, such as:
    • Making charitable donations
    • Making gifts or loans to family 
  • Identify actions that an attorney for property is prohibited from undertaking on behalf of a grantor, such as:2
    • Creating, changing, or revoking a will for the grantor
    • Naming or changing a beneficiary on a life insurance plan or registered plan owned by the grantor
    • Establishing a new attorney to act on behalf of the grantor 
  • Identify potential activities for which an attorney may require permission from the court, such as: 
    • Making themselves a joint owner of the grantor’s property
    • Taking fees
    • Providing gifts to family and friends from the grantor’s property
    • Using property owned by the grantor for the benefit of an individual other than the grantor 
  • Identify that an attorney for property may be held financially liable by the grantor (or the beneficiaries of a grantor’s estate) should they contravene their duties. 
  • Identify events that may terminate limited and general powers of attorney for property, such as:
    • Revocation of power of attorney by grantor
    • Death or incapacitation of grantor
    • Death, incapacitation, or resignation in writing of attorney 
    • Attorney and grantor end their spousal relationship 
    • Attorney is convicted of an offence under the respective power of attorney act in the jurisdiction or an offence for which the donor was a victim
    • Court appoints a power of attorney for property
    • Creation of a new continuing/enduring power of attorney 
    • Corporation acting as an attorney dissolves, winds up or ceases to carry on business 
  • Identify events that may terminate a continuing/enduring power of attorney for property, such as:
    • Revocation of power of attorney by grantor
    • Death of grantor
    • Death, incapacitation, or resignation in writing of attorney 
    • Attorney and grantor end their spousal relationship 
    • Attorney is convicted of an offence under the power of attorney act in the jurisdiction, or an offence of which the donor was a victim
    • Court appoints a power of attorney for property
    • Creation of a new continuing/enduring power of attorney 
    • Corporation acting as an attorney dissolves, winds up or ceases to carry on business 
  • Identify events that may terminate a contingent/springing power of attorney for property, such as:
    • Revocation of power of attorney by grantor
    • Death of grantor
    • Death, incapacitation, or resignation in writing of attorney 
    • Attorney and grantor end their spousal relationship 
    • Attorney is convicted of an offence under the power of attorney act in the jurisdiction, or an offence of which the donor was a victim
    • Court appoints a power of attorney for property
    • Creation of a new continuing/enduring power of attorney 
    • Corporation acting as an attorney dissolves, winds up or ceases to carry on business 
  • Identify that an attorney for property may be entitled to compensation for their services.3  

† Power of attorney for property is being used generically to denote any document that an individual may use to grant decision-making ability, and/or the ability to act on their behalf with respect to their property, to another individual. 


REFERENCES


KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: CFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Understanding


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.

  • Identify the purpose for which a power of attorney for property may be used.† 
  • Explain risks associated with failing to appoint a power of attorney for property. 
  • Identify names of documents used to denote that an individual or entity has decision-making power for property of another individual, such as:
    • Power of attorney
    • Power of attorney for property
    • Mandate 
  • Identify types of powers of attorney for property.
    • Limited
    • General
    • Continuing/enduring
    • Contingent/springing  
  • Explain when the attorney’s power under a power of attorney for property becomes effective.
    • Limited
    • General
    • Continuing/enduring
    • Contingent/springing 
  • Explain when the attorney’s power under a power of attorney for property ceases to be effective. 
    • Limited
    • General
    • Continuing/enduring
    • Contingent/springing 
  • Explain responsibilities of an attorney under a power of attorney for property, such as:
    • To act in the best interest of the donor 
    • To keep accurate records of dealings/transactions undertaken on the donor’s behalf
    • To act for the donor with the utmost good faith and to avoid situations where there is a conflict of interest 
    • To keep the property and money of the donor separate from their own  
  • Identify actions that an attorney for property may engage in on behalf of the grantor, such as: 
    • Open, operate, and close financial accounts
    • Purchase investments according to the statutory rules for investing
    • Apply for benefits to which the grantor is entitled
    • Buy goods and services 
    • Lend, sell, store or dispose of personal property
    • Purchase, maintain or sell real property
    • Start or defend lawsuits
    • Receive information and documentation that the grantor is entitled to receive 
  • Identify actions that an attorney for property may undertake on behalf of the grantor when specifically provided for in the power of attorney document or by the courts, such as:
    • Making charitable donations
    • Making gifts or loans to family 
  • Identify actions that an attorney for property is prohibited from undertaking on behalf of a grantor, such as:2
    • Creating, changing, or revoking a will for the grantor
    • Naming or changing a beneficiary on a life insurance plan or registered plan owned by the grantor
    • Establishing a new attorney to act on behalf of the grantor 
  • Identify potential activities for which an attorney may require permission from the court, such as: 
    • Making themselves a joint owner of the grantor’s property
    • Taking fees
    • Providing gifts to family and friends from the grantor’s property
    • Using property owned by the grantor for the benefit of an individual other than the grantor 
  • Identify that an attorney for property may be held financially liable by the grantor (or the beneficiaries of a grantor’s estate) should they contravene their duties. 
  • Identify events that may terminate limited and general powers of attorney for property, such as:
    • Revocation of power of attorney by grantor
    • Death or incapacitation of grantor
    • Death, incapacitation, or resignation in writing of attorney 
    • Attorney and grantor end their spousal relationship 
    • Attorney is convicted of an offence under the respective power of attorney act in the jurisdiction or an offence for which the donor was a victim
    • Court appoints a power of attorney for property
    • Creation of a new continuing/enduring power of attorney 
    • Corporation acting as an attorney dissolves, winds up or ceases to carry on business 
  • Identify events that may terminate a continuing/enduring power of attorney for property, such as:
    • Revocation of power of attorney by grantor
    • Death of grantor
    • Death, incapacitation, or resignation in writing of attorney 
    • Attorney and grantor end their spousal relationship 
    • Attorney is convicted of an offence under the power of attorney act in the jurisdiction, or an offence of which the donor was a victim
    • Court appoints a power of attorney for property
    • Creation of a new continuing/enduring power of attorney 
    • Corporation acting as an attorney dissolves, winds up or ceases to carry on business 
  • Identify events that may terminate a contingent/springing power of attorney for property, such as:
    • Revocation of power of attorney by grantor
    • Death of grantor
    • Death, incapacitation, or resignation in writing of attorney 
    • Attorney and grantor end their spousal relationship 
    • Attorney is convicted of an offence under the power of attorney act in the jurisdiction, or an offence of which the donor was a victim
    • Court appoints a power of attorney for property
    • Creation of a new continuing/enduring power of attorney 
    • Corporation acting as an attorney dissolves, winds up or ceases to carry on business 
  • Identify that an attorney for property may be entitled to compensation for their services.3  

† Power of attorney for property is being used generically to denote any document that an individual may use to grant decision-making ability, and/or the ability to act on their behalf with respect to their property, to another individual. 


Additional Knowledge Expected of CFP Professionals
  • Explain the factors to consider in choosing an attorney for property.1
  • Explain advantages and disadvantages of using a corporate attorney for property. 
  • Identify that there may be risks associated with a business owner naming another business owner as an attorney for property.

REFERENCES