Age 19, University Bound… and Leaving Home With a Will and Power of Attorney
This summer, like so many parents across the country, I'm getting ready to send my son off to university. He's moving out of Ontario, and it's a much bigger adjustment for me than it is for him.
Will he be safe? Will he stay focused on school (or spend a little too much time enjoying campus life)? Will he find a great group of friends?
Every day I seem to remember something else he needs to pack. A laptop. Winter boots. Lysol wipes.
My son is also heading off to play university sports. He's about to compete against athletes who are bigger, stronger and faster than he's used to. As a mom, I can't help but think about the possibility of an injury.
Why We're Getting a Will and Power of Attorney Before He Leaves for University
So, before he leaves, there's one more thing on his checklist.
This summer, he's meeting with a lawyer to sign his first Will, Continuing Power of Attorney for Property, and Power of Attorney for Personal Care.
When I work with professionals and entrepreneurs who are parents to young adults, I strongly suggest this and I hear:
"My kid is only 18, they're a student and don't own anything."
Do they own a vehicle?
Do they have a bank account?
Student loans?
A lease for an apartment?
A credit card?
A cellphone contract?
Most young adults have already started building a financial life, even if they don't realize it. More importantly, what happens if something unexpected happens?
Here's What Most Parents Don't Know About Turning 18 in Ontario
The day your child turns 18, they become a legal adult.
That means you no longer automatically have the legal authority to make healthcare decisions, manage their finances, or even obtain certain information on their behalf under Ontario law. Try calling the University or College to check on their grades, you will be shut down.
Many parents are surprised to learn this.
After all, you spent the first 18 years making or influencing their decisions. Then, overnight, the law says they're responsible for themselves.
If they become seriously ill or are injured in an accident and can't communicate their wishes, having Powers of Attorney already in place can make an incredibly difficult situation much easier for everyone involved.
What Documents Does Your University-Bound Child Actually Need?
At a minimum, most 18-year-olds heading off to school benefit from three documents:
● Last Will and Testament — directs how any bank accounts, vehicles, or belongings should be handled if the unexpected happens.
● Continuing Power of Attorney for Property — lets a trusted person manage bank accounts, student loans, leases, and bills if your child becomes incapacitated.
● Power of Attorney for Personal Care — lets a trusted person make healthcare and medical decisions on your child's behalf if they can't communicate their own wishes.
Without those documents, things can quickly become more complicated than most families expect.
What Happens Without a Will or Power of Attorney
The goal isn't to expect the worst. It's to be prepared if life throws an unexpected curveball.
A Will and Powers of Attorney aren't just for retirees or people with significant wealth. They're simply documents that allow someone you trust to step in if you can't make decisions for yourself.
For most young adults, that's Mom or Dad.
It's Not Just Your Child's Estate Plan — Review Your Own, Too
As you encourage your child to get a Will and Powers of Attorney before leaving home, ask yourself: Have you done the same?
If you have a spouse, partner, children, house, debts or a business, these documents are even more important. If you haven't updated your estate plan recently, work with an estates lawyer in harmony with a Certified Financial Planner to review and update your family's estate plan. Make it your 2026 summer goal to get your legal documentation completed.
Ready to Protect Your Family's Future?
Ready to explore your options? Book a complimentary consultation with Taivi today.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor for advice tailored to your personal circumstances.
About the Author
Taivi Tayler, CFP®, CLU®, RRC®, MFA-P™, is the Founder and Lead Financial Planner at Tayler Insurance & Estate Planning. She specializes in helping successful families, entrepreneurs, and incorporated business owners grow their wealth, mitigate taxes, and protect their legacy through integrated financial, retirement, tax, and estate planning. To learn more, visit www.taylerinsurance.com
FAQs on Will & Power of Attorney
Does my 18-year-old need a Will in Barrie, Ontario?
Yes. Once your child turns 18, Ontario law treats them as a legal adult regardless of where they live or study. A Will ensures any bank accounts, vehicles, or belongings they own are distributed according to their wishes — and families across Barrie and Simcoe County are increasingly having this document prepared alongside a young adult's first Power of Attorney, before they leave for school.
What is a Continuing Power of Attorney for Property, and why does it matter more than a regular POA?
A Continuing Power of Attorney for Property remains valid even if your child later becomes mentally incapable — which is exactly when it's needed most. A "non-continuing" or general POA, by contrast, automatically ends the moment the person loses capacity. Under Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act, the document must specifically include the word "continuing" (or equivalent wording) to remain in effect during incapacity — a detail that trips up many DIY templates.
What is a Power of Attorney for Personal Care, and who can make one?
It authorizes a trusted person to make healthcare and personal care decisions if your child can't communicate their own wishes. In Ontario, a person can make this document starting at age 16 — two years earlier than the Property POA, which requires the person to be 18.
Can I (the parent) witness my own child's Power of Attorney?
No. Ontario law specifically prohibits the appointed attorney, their spouse or partner, and the grantor's spouse or partner from acting as a witness. A parent named as the attorney generally cannot also witness the document. Two independent witnesses — who are not the attorney, a beneficiary, or under 18 — are required, or the document can be invalid.
Does a Power of Attorney need to be notarized in Ontario?
No. Notarization isn't legally required in Ontario — a properly signed and witnessed POA is valid on its own. That said, some banks and financial institutions move faster with a notarized copy on file, so it's worth asking your child's bank directly once the document is signed.
Can a Power of Attorney be signed virtually if my child is already away at school?
In limited circumstances, yes. Ontario's Substitute Decisions Act permits remote video witnessing, but only if at least one of the two witnesses is an Ontario-licensed lawyer or paralegal, and all parties sign matching physical copies in real time during the video call — a wet-ink signature is still required. Electronic signatures alone are not valid for POAs in Ontario, so this isn't something that can be done through a simple e-signature app.
Is a Power of Attorney signed in Ontario valid if my child studies in another province?
Generally, yes, though rules vary by province. Most provinces recognize a properly executed out-of-province POA, but a hospital, bank, or school in another jurisdiction may still ask questions or request additional documentation. If your child is attending university outside Ontario, it's worth confirming with a lawyer whether a second, province-specific document is advisable.
What actually happens if my child becomes incapacitated and has no Power of Attorney?
Without a POA, no one — including a parent — automatically has legal authority to make decisions on your child's behalf. Your family would need to apply to the court for guardianship, a process that can take several months, cost thousands of dollars in legal fees, and requires ongoing accounting to Ontario's Public Guardian and Trustee. A properly signed POA avoids this entirely.
How much does it cost to get a Will and Power of Attorney done for a young adult in Barrie?
Costs vary depending on the lawyer and complexity, but a straightforward Will and POA package for a young adult with minimal assets is typically a modest, fixed cost when done through a local estates lawyer — considerably less than the legal fees involved if a family later has to apply for court-ordered guardianship. Many local firms also offer these as a bundled package rather than pricing each document separately.
Can these documents be changed or revoked later, once my child is an adult and managing their own affairs?
Yes. A POA can be revoked or updated at any time, as long as the person creating it is still mentally capable. Signing a new POA automatically cancels any earlier one, and it's important to notify the previous attorney and any relevant institutions (like a bank) of the change in writing.
Are Wills and Powers of Attorney only necessary for older adults or people with significant wealth?
No. These documents apply to anyone 18 or older, regardless of age or net worth. They simply name someone you trust to step in if you're ever unable to make decisions for yourself — which is exactly why more Barrie-area families are treating this as a standard part of a young adult's move to university, not just an estate planning step reserved for retirees.
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