Incapacity planning and end-of-life decision-making: A primer

Please note the virtual portion of this hybrid event begins at 4:30pm EST, while the in-person reception begins at 4pm. The in-person event includes a reception with light refreshments before and after the hybrid panel presentation.

Life expectancy has been increasing for Canadians for some time—current estimated average life expectancy for Canadian women is about 84 years and men about 80 years, with some regional variation. With these shifting demographics comes increased concerns about incapacity. While planning for potential mental incapacity is important for all Canadians to do, whether young or old, statistics tell us that dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment increase substantially after age 85. 

Canadians are rightly concerned about planning for their futures – what will happen to their finances?  How can they continue to live independently?  What if they experience cognitive or physical decline?
 
Join us to learn how Ontario law deals with Powers of Attorney (POAs) and “substitute decision-makers” and who gets to make decisions for a person who lacks the requisite mental capacity to make their own personal care or property decisions. We will also discuss some matters affecting POAs and “substitute decision-makers” which are commonly litigated.

Panelists

Leanne Kaufman, Law'96
President and CEO
RBC Royal Trust

Alexandra Manthorpe, Law'10
Lawyer, Wills and estates group
Cunningham Swan

David Freedman
Professor, Queen's Law
Moderator

Accessibility

The event venue is located on the ground floor of the Law Building at 128 Union St. The building's main entrance is fully accessible, and a single-user accessible washrooms and accessible stalls in gendered multiple-user washrooms are located on the same floor as the event. More information on the accessibility of the venue is available online.

The Zoom event will include automated captions. Please contact us if you have any questions about online accessibility.