Elder Law Lawyer
Protecting the rights, finances, and dignity of older adults
As we age, or as we care for a parent who is, the legal questions become more personal and more urgent. Whether you are planning ahead, worried about a loved one, or facing a dispute over a power of attorney, we help you protect what matters with clear advice and, when needed, strong advocacy. Our elder law practice serves older adults and their families across Ontario.
Our Elder Law Services
We provide full legal support for older adults and their families, from planning ahead to resolving disputes.
Power of Attorney Disputes
A power of attorney is built on trust, and that trust is sometimes broken. We act where an attorney is mismanaging funds, ignoring their duties, or acting against the wishes of the person they are supposed to protect. We can compel an accounting, seek removal of an attorney, and recover misused assets.
Elder Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is the most commonly reported form of elder abuse, and it often comes from someone close. We investigate suspicious transfers, joint account changes, and pressured gifts, and we take action to trace assets and hold the responsible party accountable.
Guardianship Applications & Disputes
When a person can no longer make decisions for themselves and no valid power of attorney is in place, the court can appoint a guardian. We bring guardianship applications, respond to them, and litigate disputes over who should serve and how a guardian is carrying out their role.
Capacity Disputes
Questions of mental capacity sit at the heart of many elder law matters. We act in disputes over whether a person had the capacity to sign a will, grant a power of attorney, marry, or make a gift, working with capacity assessors and medical evidence to make the case.
Substitute Decision-Making
When someone cannot make decisions about their own care or property, the law sets out who decides and how. We advise substitute decision-makers and family members on their authority and obligations under the Substitute Decisions Act, and we step in when those decisions are challenged.
Undue Influence & Predatory Marriages
Older adults can be pressured into changing a will, signing documents, or even entering a marriage that strips out an existing estate plan. We act in undue influence and predatory marriage cases to protect vulnerable seniors and the integrity of their intentions.
Powers of Attorney & Planning
The best protection is often a clear plan made in advance. We prepare powers of attorney for property and for personal care, and we advise on the planning steps that help older adults stay in control and avoid disputes down the road.
Long-Term Care & Retirement Home Issues
Moving into long-term care or a retirement home raises legal questions about consent, rights, and money. We help families navigate care decisions, residency agreements, and disputes with facilities so a loved one is treated fairly.
Estate Litigation for Seniors
Elder law and estate litigation overlap closely. Where a dispute touches a will, a trust, or an inheritance, we draw on our core litigation practice to protect an older adult's interests, or the interests of those acting on their behalf.
When to Speak With an Elder Law Lawyer
Elder law issues rarely announce themselves. They surface as a quiet worry about a parent's finances, a disagreement between siblings, or a document that does not look right. Acting early often prevents a small concern from becoming a costly dispute. If any of the following sound familiar, it is worth a conversation.
- You suspect someone is misusing a power of attorney or controlling a loved one's money
- An aging parent is making large gifts or transfers that seem out of character
- A family member has been isolated from relatives by a new partner or caregiver
- You need to act for a loved one who can no longer manage their own affairs
- Siblings or family members disagree about a parent's care or finances
- A will or power of attorney was signed when capacity was in question
- You have been asked to serve as an attorney or guardian and are unsure of your duties
- A retirement home or long-term care facility is not respecting a resident's rights
- You believe a marriage or relationship is being used to take advantage of an older adult
- You want to plan ahead and put the right protections in place before they are needed
Words From Our Clients
Serving Older Adults and Families Across Ontario
While our office is based in Barrie, we act for clients throughout Simcoe County and across the province. Elder law matters are often time-sensitive and emotionally difficult, and many can be handled remotely. Wherever your family is located in Ontario, we can help.
Why Choose Friedman for Elder Law Matters
Litigators When It Counts
Many elder law issues can be resolved through advice and negotiation, but some require the courtroom. As a litigation firm, we are equipped to advise calmly and litigate decisively when a loved one needs protecting.
A Sensitive, Practical Approach
Elder law disputes often mean conflict within a family. We handle these matters with discretion and care, focused on protecting the older adult while keeping an eye on the relationships that have to continue after the dispute is over.
Direct Communication
You will speak directly with the lawyer handling your file. We explain your options in plain language and keep you informed at every stage, so you are never left guessing about a matter this important.
Deep Estate & Capacity Experience
Elder law sits at the intersection of estates, capacity, and trusts. Our focused experience in estate litigation means we understand the substantive law and the procedure behind these disputes.
Plain Language Explanations
The law around capacity, attorneys, and guardianship is full of overlapping rules and terminology. We translate it into clear, practical guidance so you understand exactly what is happening and what comes next.
Protection That Starts Early
The strongest protection is often a plan made before a crisis. We help older adults and their families put the right documents and safeguards in place, and we act quickly when something has already gone wrong.
Elder Law FAQs
What is elder law?
Elder law is a practice area focused on the legal needs of older adults and their families. It covers a broad range of issues including powers of attorney, guardianship, capacity, substitute decision-making, elder abuse, long-term care, and estate matters. Rather than a single area of law, it brings together the legal questions that most often affect people as they age and the people who care for them.