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Wills & Powers of Attorney

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A will

is your written instructions on how to deal with your estate after your demise. The purpose of a will is to provide for the orderly distribution of your assets at your death.

While a will is your instructions after your demise, powers of attorney are your instructions while you are still alive but are for whatever reason incapable of acting for yourself. In Ontario, we have two powers of attorney: a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property and a Power of Attorney for Personal Care (often referred to as a ‘living will’).

Regardless of age or the state of your health, and regardless of the extent of your assets, wills and powers of attorney are very important documents to have. It is trite to say that one’s life can be altered or ended unexpectedly and very suddenly. Your loved ones would have to contend with unnecessary hardship if you do not have a valid will and powers of attorney.

Since lawyers know the amount of time that is generally required to prepare a will or a power of attorney, they can provide a set fee for preparing these documents.

Our fees are as follows: 

• A simple Will: $350.00
• Powers of Attorney: $100.00 each
• One Will and two Powers of Attorney: $500.00
• Joint/Mirror Wills (i.e. a Will for each spouse, each 'mirroring' that which is contained in the other): $600.00
• Joint Wills and Powers of Attorney (4): $850.00

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FAQs about Wills & Powers of Attorney

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Do I need both a power of attorney for personal care and a continuing power of attorney for property?

Yes. The two powers of attorney confer authority for different acts or functions. The authority to deal with a person’s financial affairs under the continuing power of attorney for property, for example, does not confer the authority to make decisions vis-à-vis the person’s care.

Can I appoint the same person to be both my attorney for personal care and my continuing power of attorney for property?

Yes. In fact, in my opinion, it is generally advisable to have the same individual(s) act as both. For instance, if your power of attorney for personal care needs to place you in a nursing home or other long-term health care facility, s/he will need the financial wherewithal to finance this step.