Ontario Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney isn't one decision. It's two.

Q: Do I really need two separate documents?

In Ontario, yes — for complete protection. A Power of Attorney for Property covers your finances, and a Power of Attorney for Personal Care covers your health and medical decisions. They are separate legal documents and can even appoint different people. You can start with whichever matters most today and add the other later.

Q: Is this the same as an "advance care directive," "health care proxy," or "living will"?

Almost certainly, yes. Ontario uses two legal terms — Power of Attorney for Property and Power of Attorney for Personal Care — but people use many other names for them. A "financial power of attorney," "continuing power of attorney," or "CPOA" all refer to the Property document. An "advance care directive," "advance directive," "health care proxy," "medical power of attorney," or "living will" all map to the Power of Attorney for Personal Care. Whichever term you searched for, one of these two documents is what you need.

In Ontario, protecting yourself takes two separate documents — one for your money, one for your medical care. Tell us which you need. You'll be done before the coffee's cold.

01 For Personal Care Your health & care Medical treatment, living arrangements, end-of-life wishes. I need this 02 For Property Your money & property Bank accounts, bills, real estate, investments. I need this

Valid across Ontario · trusted by thousands of Canadians · ready to sign in 15 minutes

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Most Ontarians need both. Start with whichever matters most today — after you finish one, we'll help you add the other.

Power of Attorney for Personal Care

"The doctors will just ask my family."
It's not that simple.

Ontario law has a default hierarchy of who decides your care — but relying on it means family conflict, delays in treatment, and the wrong person in charge. Without your instructions, every decision becomes a guess.

This document lets you choose who speaks for your health — and records your wishes for treatment, living arrangements and end-of-life care, so no one has to guess.

Attorney AppointmentLegally designate someone you trust to make all medical and personal care decisions on your behalf.
Healthcare WishesDocument your preferences for medical treatment, life support, pain management, and comfort care.
End-of-Life PreferencesClearly state your wishes about life-sustaining treatment so your family doesn't have to guess.
Living Will SectionIncludes a detailed section for organ donation, burial preferences, and final wishes.

Also known as: Living Will, Health Care Directive, Medical Power of Attorney, Advance Directive, Health Care Proxy

Just want to write down your wishes? This document already includes a full living-will section — appointing someone is optional. Prefer a wishes-only document? See our standalone Living Will.

Power of Attorney for Property

"My spouse can just step in, right?"
Actually — no.

Without a Power of Attorney for Property, your family — including your spouse — can't automatically step in to manage your finances if you're incapacitated. Banks freeze individual accounts until a court appoints a guardian. That can take months and cost thousands.

This document appoints someone you trust to handle banking, bills, investments and real estate the moment it's needed — exactly the way you decide.

Full Financial AuthorityYour attorney can manage bank accounts, pay bills, handle investments, and manage real estate on your behalf.
Continuing PowerUnlike a general POA, a Continuing Power of Attorney remains valid even if you become mentally incapable.
Customizable RestrictionsYou can limit your attorney's powers, require accounting, or set specific conditions — our wizard walks you through all options.
Substitute Decisions Act CompliantDrafted under Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 with all required legal language and signing instructions.

Also known as: Continuing Power of Attorney for Property, Financial Power of Attorney, CPOA

How it works

Protection doesn't have to be painful.

Paying a lawyer their hourly rate to draft standard legal documents isn't necessary. We've simplified the whole process.

Brew a pot of tea

Or grab a coffee. Get comfortable. You don't need a law degree, just 15 minutes of quiet time.

Answer simple questions

Our smart wizard guides you through the Ontario-specific clauses. If you start now, you'll be done before your cup is cold.

Print, Sign, Protected

Instant PDF download. We explain the witness requirements and next steps — it's simpler than you might think.

Built to be accepted.

Every document follows Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 to the letter — with the exact signing and witness steps you need to make it hold up at any bank, hospital, or institution in the province.

Not one document we've generated has ever been rejected.

Questions, answered.

In Ontario, yes — for complete protection. A Power of Attorney for Property covers your finances, and a Power of Attorney for Personal Care covers your health and medical decisions. They are separate legal documents and can even appoint different people. You can start with whichever matters most today and add the other later.

This is the most common — and most dangerous — myth. Without a Power of Attorney for Property, banks will freeze your individual accounts until a court order is issued. Even your spouse cannot automatically access your accounts or make financial decisions for you. A court guardianship application can take months and cost thousands.

In Ontario there is no separate legal document called a "living will." The Power of Attorney for Personal Care serves that purpose — it lets you appoint a healthcare decision-maker and document your end-of-life wishes. Our Personal Care document includes a full living-will section.

Almost certainly, yes. Ontario uses two legal terms — Power of Attorney for Property and Power of Attorney for Personal Care — but people use many other names for them. A "financial power of attorney," "continuing power of attorney," or "CPOA" all refer to the Property document. An "advance care directive," "advance directive," "health care proxy," "medical power of attorney," or "living will" all map to the Power of Attorney for Personal Care. Whichever term you searched for, one of these two documents is what you need.

No. Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 lets you create both documents yourself. You just need two adult witnesses who are not your attorney, your spouse, or your children. Our wizard generates a fully compliant document and explains every signing and witness requirement.

About 15 minutes per document. Our wizard walks you through the Ontario-specific clauses one plain-language question at a time, then generates a finished, ready-to-sign PDF. Most people complete it in one sitting — no appointments, no waiting on a lawyer's office.

A Continuing Power of Attorney for Property can be used as soon as it's signed (or you can restrict it to only apply if you become incapable). A Power of Attorney for Personal Care only takes effect if you become mentally incapable of making your own decisions — while you can communicate, you stay fully in control.

"The best time was yesterday. The next best time is today."

About 15 minutes per document. Thirty minutes for complete peace of mind — and a gift of clarity for the people you love.

Choose your document