Legal Services - A & O Support Services for Older Adults

http://www.ageopportunity.mb.ca/services/clinics.htm

Legal services are available at A & O Support Services for Older Adults in Winnipeg

Myers Weinberg LLP provide legal services on-site to individuals 55 years of age and olderon matters such as wills, powers of attorney and health care directives.

Please be advised that for the majority of services two appointments are required.

Due to the large demand for service, please make appointments ahead of time and allow approximately one month for the processing of all documents.

Myers Weinberg will be on-site providing legal services on the following:

·                 Wednesdays 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

·                 Thursdays 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

*Payment – cash or cheque only, made payable to Myers Weinberg LLP

To make an appointment please call

204.956.6440

or email

info@aosupportservices.ca

www.aosupportservices.ca

200-280 Smith Street

Winnipeg, MB R3C 1K2

 Providing innovative programs and services for

older adults since 1957

Power of Attorney (POA)

A Power of Attorney is a legal document between two people who are of sound mind.  Power of Attorney (POA), gives a person the legal right to act on someone's behalf in money or property matters.  Older adults often grant POA to a trusted family member or friend during illness or extended vacations.  A POA can give people peace of mind that their affairs will be taken care of.  It is important to know that the main concepts in acquiring a POA are:  making a wise decision about the kind of POA sought, and choosing who would be the best "attorney".

An Enduring POA gives the attorney similar authority over financial and property matters.  It however, is still valid in the event that the donor becomes mentally incompetent.  Therefore it is a precautionary measure, ensuring a person's affairs will be managed by a trusted person, of his or her own choice, in case he/she were ever to become mentally incompetent.

Remember:  POA is power over a person's financial and property affairs.  It does not mean the "attorney" has control over all aspects of the donor's life such as where he/she is going to live or what medical treatment he/she will receive.

Resources: 

1.  Page 40-45 in the Legal Information Guide for Seniors explains Power of Attorney: http://www.gov.mb.ca/publictrustee/pdf/legal_guide_seniors.pdf

2.  Public Trustee of Manitoba - Enduring Power of Attorney (POA) - A Guidebook for Donors and Attorneys.  Link to the online guide:  http://www.gov.mb.ca/publictrustee/pdf/power_of_attorney_guidebook.pdf

3.  What every older Canadian should know about: Powers of Attorney (for financial matters and property) and Joint Bank Accounts:  http://www.seniors.gc.ca/eng/working/fptf/attorney.shtml

Note:  A & O:  Support Services for Older Adults in Winnipeg, Manitoba has a lawyer that can help people complete the POA papers at a reasonable cost.  Call for an appointment at: 204-956-6440.