Open ProvincesWills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Northwest Territories
How to make a valid will, an enduring power of attorney and a personal or health care directive in Northwest Territories: signing and witnessing rules and who can help, from the official pages.
The three documents and how to make them
Will (Wills Act): signed in front of two or more witnesses present together, who sign in the testator's presence. Power of attorney (Powers of Attorney Act): the attorney cannot make a will; neither the attorney nor their spouse can witness, and the witness must be 19 or older and mentally capable. Personal directive (Personal Directives Act): anyone 19 or older can make one; the maker and the agent each sign and date it in front of a witness; it is not a will or power of attorney and can be combined with a power of attorney in one document. The guides date from 2021 or earlier: confirm.
A will, a power of attorney for property and a document naming someone for personal or health decisions are three different tools: a power of attorney ends at death and cannot make a will, and a will does nothing while you are alive. Formalities are strict (a missed witness rule can void a document) and some sources below are old or incomplete: for a large or complex situation, see a lawyer or a public legal information service. Rules, fees and programs change and were read on 2026-11-14: confirm with the official source. General information, not legal advice. Quebec follows its own rules: see atlasquebec.ca.
Guides for this province
- Renting in Northwest Territories: rights, rent increases and average rents
- Working in Northwest Territories: minimum wage, standards and wages
- Moving to Northwest Territories: health card, driver's licence and taxes
- Cost of living in Northwest Territories: prices, rent, wages and taxes
- Buying a home in Northwest Territories: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
- Health care in Northwest Territories: health card, drug plans and dental help
- Studying in Northwest Territories: tuition, student aid and grants
- Seniors in Northwest Territories: pensions, supplements and programs
- Taxes in Northwest Territories: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
- Families in Northwest Territories: child benefits and family programs
- Documents and ID in Northwest Territories: birth certificate and change of name
- Starting a business in Northwest Territories: register a name, GST/HST and licences
- Problems and disputes in Northwest Territories: consumer complaints, small claims, workplace injury and legal aid
- Driving and vehicles in Northwest Territories: switching your licence and what is required
- Photo ID card in Northwest Territories without a driver's licence: who can apply, documents and fee
- Getting married in Northwest Territories: marriage licence, fees and documents
- Health card in Northwest Territories: who qualifies, waiting period and how to register
- When someone dies in Northwest Territories: death certificate, estate and probate
- Registering a child for school in Northwest Territories: age, documents and where to sign up
- Child care in Northwest Territories: fees, finding a space and subsidies
- Immigrating to Northwest Territories: nominee program, steps and processing times
- Accessible parking permit in Northwest Territories: how to apply
- Alcohol rules in Northwest Territories: legal age and where to buy
- Car insurance in Northwest Territories: what is compulsory and where to buy it
- Cannabis rules in Northwest Territories: legal age, where to buy and where to use
- Disability income and supports in Northwest Territories: how to apply
- Prescription drug coverage in Northwest Territories: public plans and how to enrol
- Emergency preparedness in Northwest Territories: alerts, evacuation and your 72-hour kit
- Separation, parenting and child support in Northwest Territories: free help and enforcement
- Help for family violence and victims of crime in Northwest Territories
- Fishing and hunting licences in Northwest Territories: where to buy and what you need
- Health advice line (811) in Northwest Territories: speak to a nurse any time
- Indigenous relations and services in Northwest Territories: who does what
- Marriage licence fee in Northwest Territories
- New drivers in Northwest Territories: graduated licensing stages and minimum ages
- Provincial parks and camping reservations in Northwest Territories
- Probate fees in Northwest Territories: what an estate pays
- Social assistance in Northwest Territories: how to apply for income support
- Social housing and rent help in Northwest Territories: how to apply
- Student loans and grants in Northwest Territories: where to apply
- Voting in Northwest Territories: register, check your status and find your election office
- Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Northwest Territories