Power of Attorney

Total 162 Posts

Family Meetings and Power of Attorney for Personal Care

I had the pleasure of recently attending the B’nai Brith Canada Estates and Trusts Group annual seminar, titled Power of Attorney Disputes. It was a wonderful opportunity to watch some of Ontario’s finest estate lawyers play different roles (feuding siblings and mediator) as well as hear their professional perspective on various aspects of Power of Attorney disputes regarding questionable capacity, accounting issues, estate trustees and sexual consent. While the focus….

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Elder Care, Elder Law, Family Conflict, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes

The Times Are A Changing and Our Laws & Policies Should Too

Further to my colleague Diane Vieira’s March 15, 2017  blog, in which she summarized the Law Commission of Ontario report on legal capacity, decision-making and guardianship in Ontario, I wanted to highlight some key recommendations that I found to be particularly relevant. Over the last while, I have noticed a few changes including: Many of our older clients have outlived their family and friends We are also seeing an increase….

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Capacity Law, Elder Law, Geriatric Care Management, Power of Attorney

LCO Releases Report on Capacity, Decision-making and Guardianship Laws

Last week, the Law Commission of Ontario (“LCO”) released and presented to the provincial government, their final report reviewing Ontario’s statutory framework for legal capacity, decision-making and guardianship matters. The LCO focused on the relevant capacity provisions found in the Health Care Consent Act, the Substitute Decisions Act (“SDA”), and the Mental Health Act (“MHA”).  The report makes 58 recommendations to address issues such as financial elder abuse, misuse of….

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Attorney Compensation, Capacity Law, Elder Law, Fiduciary Professions, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes

Dementia does not Preclude Testamentary Capacity

Unhappy beneficiaries often challenge the validity of a loved one’s will on the grounds that the testator lacked the capacity to execute a will. Applicants use evidence of the testator’s dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (and other mental disorders) to establish that the testator lacked capacity to execute a will. However, it is important to keep in mind that capacity is time specific. A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, for….

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Capacity Law, Elder Law, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Succession Planning, Testamentary Capacity, Wills

Limited Retainers, Lawyer Liability and Limitation Periods

The recent Court of Appeal (“ONCA”) decision of Meehan v. Good, 2017 ONCA 103 (“Meehan”), reminds lawyers that the duty of care owed to their clients is extensive, and may operate beyond a limited-scope retainer. In Meehan, the plaintiffs, Michael and Anne Meehan, brought a claim against their lawyer, John Cardill, who they initially retained to pursue an assessment of the accounts of their previous counsel. The Meehans sued Mr…..

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Dependant Support, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Liability, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Testamentary Capacity, Undue influence, Wills

Capacity Issues – who are you going to call?

Capacity to grant and revoke a power of attorney (POA) for property and personal care and incapacity to manage property and personal care is defined by legislation in Ontario by the Substitute Decisions Act. However testamentary capacity (capacity to make a will) is not defined by provincial legislation. Assessors from the Ministry the Attorney General can provide formal assessments of incapacity to manage property and personal care that can result in….

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Capacity Law, Elder Law, Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Testamentary Capacity
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