Advance care directive with detailed treatment wishes
A written record of your wishes about treatment, life support and end-of-life care.
What is included
- Explains the difference between a power of attorney for property and one for personal care
- Drafts the powers of attorney and supervises signing and witnessing
- Advises attorneys on their duties, record-keeping and compensation
- Prepares guardianship applications or responds to them
- Brings court applications to review, remove or replace an attorney or guardian
What is not included
- Estate administration tax, court fees, appraisals and other disbursements
- Tax returns for a deceased person or an estate, unless arranged separately
- Estate disputes or litigation, unless the lawyer agrees to act on them
- Work by NEO Legal Services: NEO is a paralegal firm and only makes the referral
Who this service is for
- Adults planning for a time they may not be able to decide for themselves
- People named as an attorney or guardian
- Families of someone who can no longer manage their affairs
Information to have ready
- 1Names and contact details of the people you want to appoint
- 2Any existing powers of attorney
- 3For guardianship, capacity assessments or medical information you can share
- 4A list of the person's assets and income
How a referral works
- 1Tell us in a few words what the matter is about, and who else is involved, so we can check for a conflict of interest.
- 2We recommend an Ontario lawyer for your matter, and at least one other you could choose instead.
- 3The lawyer runs their own conflict check, confirms the scope and quotes the fee, normally in a written retainer agreement.
- 4You pay the lawyer's fee to the lawyer. Any referral fee comes out of it, is disclosed to you in writing, and never increases what you pay.
NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm, not a law firm. Every step of a referral, and your rights
Frequently asked questions
What does the lawyer charge?
A typical Ontario fee for this service is $250–$600, plus HST. The lawyer quotes the actual fee before any work starts. You pay the lawyer directly; the referral itself costs you nothing.
What is an estate trustee?
It is Ontario's term for an executor or administrator: the person who gathers the assets, pays the debts and taxes and distributes the estate.
Does every estate need probate?
No. Whether a certificate of appointment of estate trustee (often called probate) is needed usually depends on the assets and on what banks or the land registry require. The lawyer can explain whether it is needed in your case.
Do I need a lawyer to make a will in Ontario?
Not always, but a lawyer can help make sure the will is properly signed and witnessed and suits your family and assets. Mistakes in signing or wording can lead to disputes later.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- No outcome can be guaranteed in an estate dispute or court application
- Some deadlines, such as for a dependant support claim or a surviving spouse's election, are short
- The work is limited to the scope the lawyer confirms in writing
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