Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes

Total 71 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….

Family Meetings and Power of Attorney for Personal Care Continue Reading »

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

Promises, Promises…or is that Expectations, Expectations?

This Blog was written by: Gosha Sekhon, LLB A not uncommon occurrence these days finds single adult children residing with an elderly, surviving parent. The parent, more often than not, requires some assistance with their health care, household tasks and the management of their financial affairs. Usually the co-habiting child is single, divorced, widowed and also finds himself or herself in a position where they are the only sibling willing….

Promises, Promises…or is that Expectations, Expectations? Continue Reading »

Contracts, Estate Litigation, Family Conflict, Joint Tenancy, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Uncategorized

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….

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

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….

Dementia does not Preclude Testamentary Capacity Continue Reading »

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…..

Limited Retainers, Lawyer Liability and Limitation Periods Continue Reading »

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

POA for Property: A Marriage Sometimes Not Made in Heaven!

In my ALLABOUTESTATES blogs, I have been writing about unanticipated consequences of appointing a power of attorney (POA) for property as per the Ontario Substitute Decisions Act[i] (SDA). Despite the apparent benefits for seniors to have a POA for property, nonetheless unanticipated problems include; Mistaken assumptions by both grantors and appointed attorneys that a signed POA for property that is effective immediately is supposedly “only a backup plan” for declared….

POA for Property: A Marriage Sometimes Not Made in Heaven! Continue Reading »

Capacity Law, Elder Law, Family Conflict, Power of Attorney, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Testamentary Capacity
Scroll to Top