3Take over finances
How to use a power of attorney at the bank in Ontario
A step-by-step guide for Ontario attorneys: what the bank will ask for, how long the review takes, what to do if the bank says no, and mistakes to avoid.
For Canadians helping an aging parent
Your parent's money and paperwork, one step at a time.
Plain-language guides for adult children who are taking on a parent's finances, from the first conversation to settling the estate. Built on official sources, dated, and reviewed on a schedule.
Where are you right now?
Pick the stage that sounds most like today. You can start anywhere and move forward from there.
- 1 Get prepared Before anything goes wrong Mom and Dad are managing fine, and you want to know where everything is before you ever need to. See this stage
- 2 Start helping When a parent needs a hand You've started paying a bill or two, sorting mail, or sitting in on calls with the bank. 1 guide
- 3 Take over finances When you step in It's time for you to manage the accounts, and the bank wants to see the power of attorney. 1 guide
- 4 Pay for care Care costs, benefits, and the family home You're comparing home care, retirement homes, or long-term care, and trying to work out how to pay for it. See this stage
- 5 Manage as POA Your ongoing duties as attorney You've been managing a parent's money for a while, and want to be sure you're keeping proper records and doing it right. 2 guides
- 6 Handle incapacity When a parent can no longer decide Dementia or illness means your parent can no longer make money decisions, or there's no power of attorney in place. 1 guide
- 7 Settle the estate After a parent has passed away Your parent has passed away, and you're dealing with the accounts, the paperwork, and the estate. See this stage
Good places to start
5Manage as POA
Your duties as power of attorney for property in Ontario
What Ontario expects from an attorney for property: your duties, what you can spend on, gifts, the will, records, and a worked example of attorney pay.
How we put these guides together
Canadian first
Rules differ by province, so every guide says which province it covers. We start with Ontario and add more over time.
Built on official sources
We link to the laws, government pages, and forms each guide is based on, so you can check for yourself.
Dated and rechecked
Every guide shows when it was last reviewed. We recheck them on a schedule, because rules and amounts change.
Education, not advice
We explain how things work. For decisions about your own family, we point you to the right kind of professional.