Glossary
In Criminal Law, Human Rights, Wills and Powers of Attorney
These letters are a short form for the following words:
2S – Two-Spirit
L – Lesbian
G – Gay
B – Bisexual
T – Transgender
Q – Queer
+ – other terms not in this list
In Wills and Powers of Attorney
An affidavit is a document with statements that a person says are true. The person making the statements signs the affidavit after they swear or promise to tell the truth. They do this in front of a commissioner for taking affidavits like a lawyer or notary.
In Family Law, Income Assistance, Tribunals and Courts, Wills and Powers of Attorney
Assets, sometimes called property, are things that you own. For example, assets include cars, real estate, registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs), and any savings you have.
In Wills and Powers of Attorney
Beneficiaries are the people or organizations that you leave something to in your will.
The people who get your property if you die without a will are also called beneficiaries.
In Wills and Powers of Attorney
A capacity assessor is someone who has special training and has been approved by the government to decide if people are mentally incapable. This can be a doctor, nurse, psychologist, occupational therapist, or social worker. They assess a person’s mental capacity and decide if the person is able to make decisions about their property, personal care, or both.
You must pay for the assessment. The fee usually depends on things like the person’s profession and expertise. The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee has a list of capacity assessors in Ontario.
In Wills and Powers of Attorney
A clearance certificate is a document that an estate trustee gets from Canada Revenue Agency. It confirms that all money the person who died owed to the Canada Revenue Agency has been paid.
In Wills and Powers of Attorney
A codicil is a legal document that you create to make small changes to your will. For example, if you want to:
- change the amount of money you’re leaving someone
- add or remove a beneficiary.
A codicil is made in the same way as a will. But it’s a separate legal document.
In Criminal Law, Family Law, Wills and Powers of Attorney
When a document is “commissioned”, it is signed in front of a commissioner of oaths. A commissioner of oaths has the power to certify a document that presents what someone says is true, such as an affidavit.
In Wills and Powers of Attorney
A common-law relationship is one where 2 people live together in a marriage-like relationship, without being legally married.
In Debt and Consumer Rights, Family Law, Tribunals and Courts, Wills and Powers of Attorney
Debts are money that a person owes, for example, a mortgage, line of credit, or car loan.