A Power of Attorney (POA) is like a backup plan—it lets you pick someone you trust to handle your money or health decisions if you can’t. In Ontario, there are two types you need to know about:
- Power of Attorney for Property: This covers money stuff—like paying bills, managing your bank account, or even selling your house.
- Power of Attorney for Personal Care: This is about your health and lifestyle—like choosing your doctor or deciding where you live if you’re too sick to say.
Filling out these forms right is super important so your chosen person (called your “attorney”) can step in when you need them. Don’t worry—this guide from Saroha Law makes it easy, step by step.
Step 1: Grab the Right Forms
Ontario gives you free POA forms—think of them as official templates. Here’s how to get them:
- Online: Download them from Ontario.ca—it’s quick and always up to date.
- In Person: Pick them up at ServiceOntario spots, a lawyer’s office, or places like ours.
You’ll need:
- Continuing Power of Attorney for Property for money matters.
- Power of Attorney for Personal Care for health stuff.
These templates follow Ontario rules, so they’re safe to use. Confused about which one? Our Wills, Estate Planning, and Trusts page explains more.
Easy Tip: Keep the Ontario.ca link handy on your phone for later.
Step 2: Check the Basics You Need
Before you start writing, make sure:
- Your Age: You need to be 19 or older for the money one, and 16 or older for the health one.
- Your Mind: You have to understand what you’re signing—Ontario says you need to be “with it” when you do this.
- Two Witnesses: You’ll need two people to watch you sign, but they can’t be your attorney, spouse, kid, or anyone under 19.
Mess this up—like picking your husband as a witness—and it won’t count. Want to dig deeper? Our Estate Litigation page shows how we fix these mix-ups.
Step 3: Write Down Your Info
Start simple:
- Your full name (like “John Robert Smith” on your driver’s license).
- Your address (where you live right now).
- Your birthday (month, day, year).
Get this right—it’s how people know it’s your POA, especially for things like property sales. Check out Real Estate for more on that.
Step 4: Pick Your Helper (Attorney)
Your “attorney” isn’t a lawyer—it’s the person you trust to take over. Here’s what to think about:
- Can You Trust Them?: They’ll have big power, so pick someone honest—like a best friend or sibling who’s got your back.
- Do They Get It?: For money, choose someone good with cash. For health, someone who knows if you’d hate hospitals.
- Are They Around?: They need to be an adult and not too far away.
You can pick:
- One person or a few people.
- Tell them to work together or on their own.
Example: “I pick my sister Jane and brother Tom to team up on my money stuff.”
Need help choosing? Meet our team at About Us or ask Utkrisht Saroha.
Step 5: Tell Them What They Can Do
Be clear about their job:
- Money POA: Can they do everything (like sell your car) or just some things (like pay your hydro bill)? Example: “You can use my bank account but don’t touch my cottage.”
- Health POA: Write your wishes—like “Keep me at home if I’m sick” or “No machines to keep me alive if I’m really bad.”
This stops confusion later. Our Services page has more examples.
Easy Tip: Write it like you’re talking to them—it keeps it simple.
Step 6: Sign It with Witnesses
To make it official:
- You sign while two people watch.
- They sign too, saying you’re okay and not forced.
Who Can’t Watch?
- The person you picked as your attorney (or their spouse).
- Your spouse or kids.
- Anyone under 19.
Quick Fix: Grab two neighbors or coworkers—easy! We see signing go wrong in Estate Litigation—don’t let that be you.
Step 7: Keep It Safe
You don’t send it anywhere, but hide it well:
- Put it in a safe, a bank box, or with a lawyer like us.
- Tell your attorney and family where it is.
- Give copies to your bank or doctor if it helps.
Lose it? You’re back to square one. Our Wills, Estate Planning, and Trusts team has storage tricks.
Step 8: Change It If Life Changes
Check it now and then:
- Swap your attorney if they move or pass away.
- Update it if you buy a house or get sick—see Finance for money tips.
- Cancel It: Write “I, [Your Name], cancel my POA from [Date],” and tell everyone.
Life’s unpredictable—keep your POA ready. More on this in Corporate.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
You can do it solo, but a lawyer helps if:
- You’ve got lots going on—like a business or big house (check Corporate Business Law).
- You want special rules—like “don’t sell my shop.”
- Family might fight—our Shareholder Dispute skills apply.
It’s $100-$500 well spent. Chat with us at Contacts.
Mistakes to Skip
Don’t:
- Forget Witnesses: It’s trash without them.
- Be Fuzzy: “Do what you want” doesn’t work—say what you mean.
- Mix Forms: Money and health forms aren’t the same.
Our Testimonials prove we catch these slip-ups.
Why Bother with a POA?
It’s your safety net:
- No POA? A court picks someone—costs over $2,000 and takes months.
- It keeps your say-so in charge—not a stranger’s.
- 70% of Canadians skip this and regret it (2023 LegalAid survey).
Tie it to your will with Wills, Estate Planning, and Trusts.
Conclusion
Completing a POA in Ontario is straightforward: get the form, appoint a trusted attorney, define their role, and sign with witnesses. Regular updates ensure relevance. For complex needs, Saroha Law offers expert support—explore our Services or call us at Contacts.
Start today—download from Ontario.ca or let us guide you.