Notary Services Glossary beginning with T

A temporary substitue decision maker (TSDM) is chosen if you have not legally named an individual (Representative) to make health care decisions for you when you are incapable of making them for yourself.

Your TSDM is chosen by your doctor from a list you fill out. While you provide the names, the order of the qualified people is set by law. Your TSDM makes it easier and faster for your doctor to find and select your TSDM. A TSDM must be 19 years or older, be capable, cannot be in a dispute with you, and must have been in contact with you in the past year. A TSDM must make decisions that reflect your beliefs, values, and wishes. Accordingly, you should write down your wishes, or speak to your TSDM - so they are aware of your wishes. 

The legal order is as follows:

1. Spouse
2. Child
3. Parent
4. Sibling
5. Grandparent
6. Grandchild
7. Other relations (blood or adoption)
8. Close friend
9. Relations by marriage (in-laws, step-parents, step-children, etc.)

The only way to vary the order of this TSDM list is to appoint a Representative by making a Representation Agreement. A TSDM may only make health care decisions on your behalf, so if you want someone to make personal care decisions (residence, diet, grooming, support, etc.), then once again, a Representation Agreement is the answer.

You may also want to get a Power of Attorney, which governs legal and financial matters.

Dying with a valid Will in place.  This is the opposite of 'intestate', which is when you die without a valid Will in place.

The person making a will. Testator for males, and Testatrix for females.

A clause at the end of many documents and notarial certificates that follows the form (or a variation):

'IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my Notarial Seal of Office'; or 'Witness my hand and seal'.

A written communication in a language other than the original language. Translations are often required to be declared true translations before a notary.

In British Columbia, the official translation and interpretation society is the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia ('STIBC'). 

Please see 'Consent To Travel', or for further detail, read the article we wrote on Consent to Travel for Minors.

A formal mutually binding agreement between countries. The term comes from 'traiter', meaning: to negotiate.

Please see 'Certified Copy'.  Also known as a 'notarized copy'.  For for more information, please read our article Certified Copy by Vancouver Notary.