Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows a friend or family member, of your choice, to
make decisions on your behalf about financial and legal matters commonly known as “paper-based” decisions only while you are alive.

A Power of Attorney allows you to designate someone to make important legal and financial decisions
on your behalf such as buying/selling of assets, sign legal documents such as tax returns, cheques,
bank documents.

A Power of Attorney cannot be used for any health care directives/decisions.

Life’s tragic turn of events can often happen without warning irrespective of age leaving you incapacitated and unable to attend to your personal legal and financial matters.

Without a Power of Attorney in place your family will need apply to the courts to act as your Committee – a process that is time-consuming, filled with anxiety and not to mention, costly.

The government will act as a Public Guardian or Trustee on your behalf if no family members take on this job.

A Power of Attorney can be revoked at any time by the person giving the Power of Attorney (donor).

Choosing a Power of Attorney

Choose someone you deeply trust and who you know will be available to work on your behalf when choosing your Power of Attorney.

An alternate Power of Attorney should be chosen in the event the first chosen Power of Attorney predeceases you or is unable or unwilling to fulfill the duties of a Power of Attorney.

If possible, avoid choosing Powers of Attorney who live out of your area that would need to travel great distances to attend to your needs.

Click here to download a copy of the "Power of Attorney" booklet.