Just a Minute - Podcast Episode 24: Power of Attorneys Dispute Part 1

[00:10] Welcome to a new episode of "Just a Minute" by Landmark Law.

[00:13] Today's episode is presented to you by Vicki on April 21st, 2023 to help educate our listeners on various legal scenarios. Today's episode will be on Power of Attorneys Dispute.

[00:26] It is common to appoint one person to act as an agent for financial or healthcare decisions. This appointed person is named as someone's Power of Attorney.

[00:35] A power of attorney is a legal document that a person or granter signs to give one or more people the authority to manage a granter's money and property on the granter's behalf. The person a granter appoints is called an attorney. In Ontario, there are two commonly used powers of attorney.

[00:53] The Power of Attorney for personal care grants the attorney the right to make decisions regarding your personal care. This includes emergency health care decisions and decisions regarding your placement in a nursing or long-term care home. A Power of Attorney for property is a written document in which you give someone the power to make decisions about your property and finances if you become unable to make these decisions yourself. This includes taking care of your banking matters, managing your investments, running your business, buying and selling real estate on your behalf, or paying for your monthly bills.

[01:27] Most often, your attorney's your spouse, adult, children, relative, or a close friend. If you're acting as an attorney for a family member or friend, consulting a wills and estates lawyer about your duties and role can help you avoid liability.