Personal Directives & Living Wills Lawyers
Personal directives are often referred to as living wills, advanced care planning or advanced medical directives. They are a legal document that allows you to appoint an agent (personal representative) to make decisions for you if you lose capacity to make decisions for yourself about yourself. Personal directives can be very specific as to the exact wishes that you want followed or you can put your trust generally that the person you pick knows you well enough to make these decisions. In Toronto, Ontario and surrounding areas, Bassermann Law Firm is able to help
Why A Personal Directive Is Important
A personal directive lets you legalize your wishes for your medical and personal care. You decide what happens to you if you lose the ability to make choices for yourself. Without a personal directive, there is a chance that someone will have to apply to the court to get the legal right to make these decisions. A lawyer attends in court to secure decision making powers. This is called a guardianship order. At times, the Office of the Public Guardian of Ontario will make decisions for you. Other times, if a dispute comes up as between different people in your life with conflicting ideas of your treatment, the Ontario courts ultimately make that determination. In these circumstances, Bassermann Law Firm is able to represent an individual claiming the responsibility of making decisions for you.
What If You Do Not Have A Personal Directive
If you do not have a personal directive, then a family member or friend may have to apply for a guardianship order. This is where the court appoints someone that they think is best able to make choices for you. Above all, this process is often expensive, emotional and time consuming. However, it usually also happens at a time that is emotionally difficult for family members. This process also usually takes months. The Ontario government sets the laws with respect to when there is no personal directive (or living will) and guardianship. Lastly, click and read more here for information if you need ideas and pointers on how to talk to and encourage your parents to put a will & estate plan in place.
Your Personal Directive Lawyers & Living Will Lawyers
Planning for the future helps makes things easier for you and loved ones. Our lawyers in Toronto help you understand the complexities of the different personal directive options and can help draft one to fit your needs. Bassermann Law Firm assists you in all matters relating to powers of attorney. Most important, we work with you to ensure the final document meets your wishes.