Service Overview
Focused legal support for power of attorney for personal care
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care allows a trusted person to make personal care decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself because of illness, injury, or incapacity. Unlike a power of attorney for property, this document deals with personal decisions rather than financial ones.
It may apply to issues such as medical treatment, housing, nutrition, safety, hygiene, and other daily living arrangements.
When it may take effect
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care is typically used when a person becomes incapable of making personal care decisions. In many situations, that question is assessed by a healthcare professional who evaluates whether the person can understand the relevant decisions.
The document can also be drafted with attention to when and how the attorney is expected to step in.
Common planning considerations
Clients often want to address:
- Who they trust to make personal care decisions
- Whether end-of-life wishes should be recorded in the document
- How medical and living arrangement decisions should be approached
- Whether alternate attorneys should be named
- How the document may be revoked while the grantor remains capable
Although people sometimes refer to a “living will,” Ontario planning typically addresses these wishes through a Power of Attorney for Personal Care and related instructions. Our office helps clients prepare these documents in a way that is practical, clear, and easier for loved ones to rely on if the need arises.