Power of Attorney & Living Will
Select your province to create a Power of Attorney or Advance Care Directive.
Ontario — Power of Attorney & Living Will
Ontario requires separate POA documents for property and personal care. You can also create a Living Will to document your care wishes.
Power of Attorney for Property
Financial POA
Appoint someone to manage your finances, pay bills, manage investments, and handle real estate transactions on your behalf.
Covers: Bank accounts, investments, property, taxes, business affairs
Power of Attorney for Personal Care
Appoint Your Health Care Decision-Maker
Appoint someone you trust to make health care and personal decisions if you become incapable. Includes a Living Will section to document your wishes about treatment and end-of-life care.
Covers: Medical treatment, living arrangements, nutrition, safety, hygiene
Living Will
Advance Care Directive
Document your wishes about medical treatment, life-sustaining measures, and end-of-life care. Even if you haven't officially appointed someone as your Health Care Decision-Maker, this document allows you to express wishes that will guide whoever ends up making those decisions.
Covers: Treatment preferences, medical scenarios, pain management, organ donation, MAID values
Which one do I need?
Most people benefit from all three. In Ontario, property and personal care decisions are handled by separate POA documents, and a Living Will complements both. Here's how to decide:
- Property POA: Appoints someone to manage your finances — bank accounts, investments, property, taxes
- Personal Care POA: Appoints someone to make health and personal care decisions if you become incapable
- Living Will (Advance Care Directive): Documents your wishes about treatment and end-of-life care — no one is appointed, but your SDM must consider these wishes under the HCCA
POA vs Living Will: A Personal Care POA names who decides for you. A Living Will records what you want. They complement each other — the Living Will guides the person you appoint in your POA.