WAAL & CO. Notaries Public

Common Questions and Information

  • WHEN PURCHASING OR SELLING A HOME:
    The decision to buy or sell a house can be a difficult one to make. We pride ourselves in dealing with each client on a personal basis. By being approachable we are able to answer all your questions and to make the process of buying or selling your home an enjoyable endeavor.
    Jean Waal and Brad Waal of Waal & Co. have been providing quality notarial services in

  • WHAT IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY?
    A Power of Attorney is an authority given by one person (the principal) to another person (the attorney) to act on behalf of the principal in conducting his or her financial affairs.
    The authority given may be general in nature, encompassing all acts the principal may perform, or it may be limited to specific acts, such as the conduct of banking business, the sale of specified real estate or authority to transfer securities from the name of the principal to another person.
    For example, if Mrs. Jones (the principal) was going to be working overseas for a period of time, she could sign a Power of Attorney appointing her husband as Attorney. The Power of Attorney would outline precisely in what respect her husband might act as agent on her behalf. For example, her Power of Attorney could specify that her husband could make deposits to and withdrawals from a specific bank account in her name. Her husband could not sign any documents in her absence nor could he act as her agent in any other respect other than to deposit and withdraw funds from that one bank account.

  • WHAT ARE THE USES OF A POWER OF ATTORNEY?
    There are a number of situations where a Power of Attorney is useful, if not essential. For example: (1) the principal plans to be out of the country or away from home and needs to have financial matters attended to in his or her absence; (2) the elderly or disabled who have trouble getting out in order to conduct banking business or looking after other financial matters; (3) or an individual becomes mentally incapacitated and is unable to care for his or her own well being.

  • WHAT IS A WILL?
    A will is a legal document, signed in accordance with specific rules that are essential to ensuring your wishes are carried out with minimum expense and delay. Your Will won't become effective or public until your death. Until then, you can change the terms or revoke it Eas long as you are mentally competent. Your Will should be reviewed whenever your family circumstances change, such as a marriage, divorce, a birth or death among your beneficiaries or a significant change in your assets. Changes in government legislation may also impact your Will. Therefore, it is usually wise to review your Will at least every three years. In some situations a badly out-of-date Will can be worse than no will at all.

  • WHY HAVE A WILL?
    There are many reasons to have a will. The first reason is to ensure the Testator's wishes regarding the distribution of his or her property to the intended beneficiaries are carried out.
    The second reason is to help ensure these wishes are carried out in the most efficient manner possible by the Executor.

    Some Other Reasons To Have A Will Include:

    • Naming an Executor
    • Naming a legal guardian for your children
    • Ensuring that sufficient income is provided to your family
    • Providing for spouse or children
    • Minimizing and deferring taxes
    • Minimizing stress on family in time of grief
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DIE WITHOUT A WILL?
    If a person dies without a will, the person is considered to have died intestate. This means that the Government will determine the disposition of the deceased's assets in accordance with laws applicable in the deceased province of residence.
    This could result in assets going to unintended beneficiaries.


    • Waal & Co Notaries Public
    9086 Young Rd
    Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 4R5
    		 Phone: 604-795-0070
    Fax: 604-795-2439
    E-Mail: waalco@uniserve.com

    Business Hours:
    Mon-Fri 8a.m.-5p.m.