What is the difference between a Power of Attorney and a Guardian?

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows a person (the ‘principal’) to nominate one or more persons (referred to as an attorney) to act on their behalf giving the attorney the authority to manage the client’s legal and financial affairs, including buying and selling real estate, shares and other assets, operating bank accounts, and spending money on their behalf.

A Guardian is a legal document that allows a person (the ‘principal’) to nominate one or more persons (referred to as the guardian) to make lifestyle, health and medical decisions for the client when they are incapable of making those decisions for themselves. They may make decisions such as where the client lives, what services are provided to the client and what medical treatment the client is to receive.