HOME

SERVICES

FIRM PROFILE

CONTACT US

LIFE PLANNING ESSENTIALS

WHY SHOULD YOU MAKE A WILL?

  • A will is a legal document which takes effect on your death. In a will you dispose of all of your property according to your wishes and desires. In a will you also name a person called an Executor and Trustee to take care of implementing your wishes and distributing your property according to your will. In your will you can also name a guardian for your children.
  • A will can be a very simple document or it can be very complex and complicated depending upon your wishes.
  • It is important to make a will since without a will your property may not be distributed according to your wishes. When you die without a will you are said to die intestate and the Succession Law Reform Act sets out how your property is to be distributed.

For an Initial Consultation to discuss these documents or any other legal issues that concern you please contact my office at 416-923-4277.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND YOU

  • A Power of Attorney is a legal document which takes effect when you are physically or mentally incapable of managing your own affairs.
  • In Ontario there are two types of Powers of Attorney under the Substitute Decisions Act:The Continuing Power of Attorney for Property and the Power of Attorney for Personal Care.
  • In both types of Powers of Attorney you name someone or more than one person, called an Attorney, to take care of your financial or personal care issues when you cannot take actions or make decisions for yourself.
  • Generally the Attorney under the Continuing Power of Attorney for Property can do anything on your behalf which you could lawfully do except make a new will for you.
    This means that your Attorney could pay your bills or look after your financial interests if you are unable to get out to do so yourself.
  • Your attorney for Personal Care can make health care decisions on your behalf when you cannot make these decisions yourself.
  • Both types of Powers of Attorney are useful in couple relationships since you can name the person you chose to be your Attorney. If you have not made a Power of Attorney you cannot be sure that your partner can make decisions for you.
  • Generally medical practitioners look to biological family for health care decisions where there is no Power of Attorney for Personal Care.
  • In cases where there is no Continuing Power of Attorney for Property it is necessary to have someone appointed to be your Guardian which is a costly and time consuming alternative.
  • I strongly recommend that all persons make Powers of Attorney for their own peace of mind.

** This brochure is not intended to be a substitute for sound legal advice. For a fuller discussion of the contents of this brochure please do not hesitate to contact my office to arrange an appointment.