At some point in our lives it is no doubt possible that we could become mentally or physically incapable of making decisions for ourselves, either because of aging, injury or illness. By drafting a proper power of attorney in advance, you can permit others to make decisions on your behalf in case you become incapable of making your own choices. Powers of Attorney are also very useful tools in estate planning. They provide a mechanism for an individual to maintain some element of control over the administration of his/her affairs in the event that person becomes incapacitated – meaning they allow you to chose someone that you love and trust to make decisions for you if you can’t make decisions for yourself.
In Ontario, whether or you are young, a senior citizen, sick or injured – you are not legally forced to name an substitute decision maker to help take over your decision making if you become incapable – but there is no doubt you should. If you are hurt or you lack the capacity to make your own decisions because of an illness, how will you pay your bills?
In Ontario, if you are over the ages of 18 (for property) and 16 (personal care) and you are mentally capable, you can give the power to a loved one or friend to make decisions on your behalf if you become sick or hurt. That person would be called your Attorney and the document would be called a Power of Attorney (In the United States, the word “attorney” is often used instead of lawyer. In Canada, a Power of Attorney is not a lawyer, but rather a legal document.) In Ontario, a Power of Attorney lawfully allows you to appoint someone you trust, in advance, to make decisions for you if you become mentally incapable of making a decision in the management of your property, or you are not able to appreciate the reasonably foreseeable consequences of a decision or lack of decision. You are certainly able to contact our Hamilton Law Firm if you or a family member requires a Power of Attorney for Property or Personal Care. You can also have your Powers of Attorney documents drafted by our Hamilton Lawyers at the same time as your Will and Estate planning documents.
With a continuing Power of Attorney for Property, you can provide legal authority person(s) you wish to make decisions about the management of your property and finances if you become incapable to make your own decisions. The person who is named as the attorney does not have to be a lawyer and in fact, should be a loved one or good friend. The power of attorney is sometimes called a “continuing” power of attorney because it can be used after you are no longer mentally capable to make the financial decisions.. When we speak of property, we mean things such as:
It depends on the situation – but short of the obvious (meaning you have suffered trauma or a long term illness) we ensure to provide written instructions in your Power of Attorney that two qualified medical assessors are to perform a capacity assessment to determine and/or confirm that you are mentally incapable of managing your health and property. Your power of attorney will then come into effect when you are deemed incapable of managing your own health and/or property.
In short, your power of attorney comes into effect when your attorney is notified in the prescribed form by a medical assessor that the medical assessor has performed a a proper medical capacity and has found that you are incapable of managing your own property or making your own decisions.
If you require powers of attorney for property to be drafted and/or updated, please call us at 905-333-8888 or fill in a contact form today. One of our Hamilton Lawyers would be more than happy to assist you. We are committed to protecting our client’s rights and best interests in all facets of estate planning.
I was a dental hygienist that suffers from really bad scoliosis. My insurance company ignored my doc & cut my benefits off & told me I could do “something”. Matt got me CPP Disability and and LTD settlement – I don’t know what I would have done without him.
My daughter was killed by a drunk driver and it forever changed all of our lives. It seemed that for two years time stopped. This was no an easy journey. Matt let me sit in on the discovery of the driver and boy, he never let up. In the end, our grand-daughter was taken care of and we were compensated for our loss – which we then donated to a cause we believed in.
I call Matt my knight in shining armour. After I was struck by a car while cycling and permanently crippled, he fielded all communications with my especially difficult and downright nasty insurance adjuster. Every step of my care was a battle and I did not have the strength to fight alone.
I lost my leg in a terrible motorcycle accident and Matt help me recover compensation I need because I could not work and the cost of prosthetics and rehab are out of this world. I don’t know what I would have done without him.
My brother ended up paralyzed after a car accident and Lalande did SO MUCH to help get things straight from him getting out of the hospital to all his care for life. We are so grateful for Matt & Heather. I don’t know how my family could have done this without them.
