Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes

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The Importance of Fiduciary Duties

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The Oxford Dictionary defines a fiduciary as a person in a position of trust, especially when it involves controlling money or property belonging to others. The law places particular emphasis on the trust relationship between a trustee and a third-party beneficiary. Among other duties, a fiduciary is required to: (1) act in the best interests of the beneficiary, (2) not put their own interests ahead of the beneficiary, and (3)….

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Elder Care, Elder Law, Fiduciary Professions, Guardianship, Liability, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Trustee

No Costs For You!

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The recent case of Donovan v. MacKenzie, 2021 ONSC 1865 (CanLII) demonstrates the wide and sometimes unpredictable nature of a judge’s discretion when it comes to costs. In this guardianship dispute, the applicant sister (“Jacqueline”) and the respondent brother (“Kieran”) were embroiled in litigation relating to their father, John Kenneth MacKenzie (“John”). Litigation was commenced in October 2017 by Jacqueline pursuant to the Substitute Decisions Act to be appointed as….

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Capacity Law, Costs, Courts, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Guardianship, POA Compensation, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes

The Role of the PGT – When, Why and How?

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While estate lawyers are often presented with files that impact upon the rights of an incapable person, it is important to understand when, why and how the Public Guardian and Trustee (the “PGT”) becomes involved with such disputes. As noted on its website, and in general, the PGT acts as litigation guardian of last resort for parties under legal disability involved in civil litigation (and as a legal representative of….

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Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Wills

Audio Recordings in a Guardianship Application; Think Twice Before Pressing Record

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In the recent guardianship case, Rudin-Brown v. Brown, the court considered whether to admit into evidence recordings made of an incapable adult’s telephone conversations. Carolyn was found to be incapable in 2018.  In 2016, Carolyn signed new power of attorney documents for personal care and property (“2016 Powers of Attorney”) appointing her son, Gordon as her attorney in both documents.  Her daughter, Missy, sought an order that the 2016 Powers….

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Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes

Suggestions to Reduce the Potential for Elder Financial Abuse

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I suggest that improved screening for vulnerability to abuse is clearly needed for seniors appointing family members as attorneys for property…..

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Capacity Law, Caregiving, Elder Care, Estate Planning, Family Conflict, Fiduciary Professions, Geriatric Care Management, Guardianship, Passing Of Trustees’ and Executors’ Accounts, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes

Evaluation of Decision Making Capacity: Aiming for an Improved Standard of Care

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Evaluation of decision-making capacity is inherent to the practice of law and medicine and is not the exclusive responsibility or expertise of either. Lawyers may need to assess (among other things) capacity to instruct counsel; to provide evidence; to stand trial; to appoint or revoke Powers of Attorney; to make a contract, a gift, or execute a will; to marry, divorce and/or reconcile. In healthcare, clinicians are confronted mostly with….

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Capacity Law, Disability, Elder Care, Elder Law, Estate Litigation, Geriatric Care Management, Guardianship, Healthcare, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Testamentary Capacity, Undue influence
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