Open ProvincesWills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Ontario
How to make a valid will, an enduring power of attorney and a personal or health care directive in Ontario: signing and witnessing rules and who can help, from the official pages.
The three documents and how to make them
Will: in writing, signed at the end in front of two witnesses present together (a holograph will, wholly handwritten and signed, needs no witnesses); remote witnessing only if a witness is a Law Society licensee. Continuing power of attorney for property: grantor 18 or older, two witnesses who sign; the attorney, the attorney's spouse or partner and the grantor's spouse or partner cannot witness; it cannot make a will. Power of attorney for personal care: grantor 16 or older, same two-witness rule. The Public Guardian and Trustee can be named only if it consents in writing beforehand.
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
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- Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Ontario