Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Nova Scotia

How to make a valid will, an enduring power of attorney and a personal or health care directive in Nova Scotia: signing and witnessing rules and who can help, from the official pages.

The three documents and how to make them

Personal directive (personal care decisions): written, dated, signed by you and witnessed by an adult; the delegate, the delegate's spouse, the person signing for you and that person's spouse cannot witness; no minimum age, but you must understand it; two sample forms exist and are optional; no lawyer needed. An enduring power of attorney covers money, property and financial affairs when you are not capable. We did not find the Wills Act signing rules on the pages we could read: see the Wills Act or a lawyer.

Official page ↗

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.

Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Nova Scotia

The three documents and how to make them

Guides for this province