Revoking a Power of Attorney in Ontario: An Ottawa Planning Checklist

Published October 12, 2026 · Meysami Law Professional Corp. · Ottawa

An Ontario power of attorney may need to change after a relationship ends, an attorney becomes unavailable, or the grantor chooses a different decision-maker. Signing a replacement document is only part of the practical work. Capacity, statutory formalities, older copies and notice to banks, care providers and other organizations can all affect whether the change works as intended.

Start with the type of power of attorney

Ontario distinguishes a continuing power of attorney for property from a power of attorney for personal care. Review the actual document, its date, the attorneys and substitutes named, any restrictions and whether it permits more than one power to exist. Do not assume that instructions for one type automatically address the other.

Capacity matters when revoking authority

The Substitute Decisions Act contains capacity rules for revocation. A person who wants to revoke or replace a document should obtain advice while capacity is clear, especially if illness, cognitive decline or family disagreement may later create a dispute. An attorney cannot simply rewrite the grantor's planning documents for convenience.

Use a clear written revocation with proper execution

Ontario legislation requires revocation to be in writing and executed with the applicable formalities. The wording should identify the document and authority being revoked without accidentally cancelling another appointment the grantor intends to keep. A new document can terminate an earlier one in circumstances set out by the Act, but relying on implication can create avoidable uncertainty.

Retrieve originals and control outstanding copies

Ask the former attorney to return originals and copies where appropriate. Check personal files, lawyer records, bank or investment files, care-facility records and digital storage. Destroying a personal copy alone may not protect against use of a copy already provided to someone who has no notice of the change.

Notify people and organizations that may rely on the old document

Provide notice and any required replacement document to the former attorney and to relevant financial institutions, advisers, care providers or others who received the old authority. Ask each organization about its own verification process. Keep a dated record of notices and confirmations without placing account numbers or health information in a marketing or analytics file.

Coordinate the new plan and review related documents

A replacement should name appropriate primary and substitute attorneys, explain whether multiple attorneys act jointly or separately, and align with the grantor's current wishes. Review the will, beneficiary designations, emergency contacts and any care instructions at the same time. Revocation does not fix transactions already completed, and disputed past conduct requires fact-specific advice.

This article is general information as of October 12, 2026, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and circumstances can change. Contacting the firm does not create a lawyer-client relationship.