Frequently Asked Questions.

No. We do not provide personalized legal advice specific to your situation if you purchase our legal products. We do not address inquiries regarding an individual’s particular circumstances. Our products are designed for self-service use and do not establish in any way a solicitor-client relationship.

ilovelaw is not intended to replace traditional legal services. If you require advice tailored to your unique situation, we highly recommend contacting a lawyer of your choice.

Unfortunately, all our legal products are exclusively available to Ontario residents. They include information specific to Ontario laws.

While our legal products are comprehensive, it is important to note that they do not replace the need for legal advice from a lawyer. Our legal products serve as a valuable starting point, but if you require any legal advice tailored to your specific situation, we strongly encourage you to seek the guidance of a lawyer of your choice for personalized legal advice.

We understand that legal matters may not be your forte, so don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. We aim to make the legal process accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. Our legal products come with detailed instructions and guides written in simple, easy-to-understand language. These resources will guide you through customizing your template to suit your unique needs. Take your time to carefully review and edit the template until it aligns with your requirements. Once you’re satisfied, it’s ready to be signed.

The time required to complete your template depends on the type of template you’ve purchased. Most templates take about an hour or so to review and personalize to fit your specific needs. However, more comprehensive agreements, like separation or cohabitation agreements, will take longer. These require input from both parties, thorough reviews, negotiations, and the exchange of necessary documents to finalize mutually agreed-upon terms.

We recommend setting aside time in a comfortable space, brewing a cup of tea, and focusing on customizing your template to suit your unique situation. Our templates are thoughtfully crafted to protect you, your family, and your business. Taking the time to tailor them properly ensures they work perfectly for your needs.

Once you purchase your legal product, you’ll receive an immediate downloadable link to your inbox. Don’t forget to check your spam folder, just in case. It’s that easy!

If you encounter difficulties accessing or receiving your legal product, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@ilovelaw.ca. We’re here to help!

Unfortunately, when it comes to our legal products, sharing is not caring. When you purchase our legal products, you receive a limited license to use the template either exclusively for yourself, for you and your partner or spouse (in the case of family products), or for your business, depending on the template. Sharing or selling our legal products to others is a big no-no. These templates are carefully crafted with creativity and innovation at their core. You wouldn’t want anyone to distribute your hard work freely, and we kindly ask for the same respect. Let’s continue changing the legal landscape to be more accessible and affordable for all!

For more information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

You will have lifetime access to your legal product. Once you purchase an ilovelaw legal product, it becomes yours exclusively to retain. We highly recommend saving an original version for ease of access.

Absolutely! You have complete freedom to customize the look and style of your legal product – choose your favourite font and colours, play with spacing and alignment and add your branding, such as your logo, to your product. This will enable your legal product to seamlessly reflect you and your personal brand and elevate your customers’ experience. So go ahead, make it stand out!

Well, let us explain. At our core, we firmly believe that knowledge is power. Our mission is to empower you with the necessary tools to make informed decisions and safeguard yourself, your family and your business.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s tempting to opt for instant solutions without fully comprehending a document’s contents. But can you confidently say that you understand an online automation company’s product, even one that you’ll be signing or sharing with others? Chances are, probably not.

We’ve all come across those online reviews where consumers mistakenly believe that a legal document is legit simply because it’s filled with legal jargon and lacks plain language. However, ask yourself this: can you truly feel in control if you can’t grasp the document you’re dealing with? And what if someone, like a new hire, asks you about a paragraph in that document? Will you be able to explain it in plain language? Once again, probably not.

At ilovelaw, we strive to change that. Our goal is to empower you by providing all the necessary tools to help you create a customized legal document that suits your unique needs.

While we understand the desire for guarantees, it’s important to acknowledge that life offers no certainties, and that includes our legal products. The realm of law is constantly evolving, with new court decisions and changing laws shaping the legal landscape. We do not make absolute promises, just as lawyers cannot absolutely guarantee precise results.

A notary public is a professional witness empowered to perform various legal formalities, from verifying signatures to authenticating documents. They can even administer oaths and declarations used in affidavits and statutory declarations.

The following forms of ID are acceptable:

• Driver’s licence card
• Passport
• Military ID
• Permanent resident card
• Provincial photo ID card

Health cards are NOT acceptable forms of ID.

No. Unfortunately, we only provide remote online notarization services.

• Affidavits (any type: OSAP, lost passport, proof of residency, etc.)
• Amendment to birth, death or marriage certificate
• Common law status affidavits
• Consent letters for children travelling outside of Canada (commonly referred to as a travel consent letter)
• Declaration affirming parentage
• Delayed Statement of Live Birth forms
• Federal government Permanent Resident Card applications
• Insurance claims
• Law Society of Ontario Administrative Call application
• Municipal Information Form (MIF) for a liquor licence
• Name change form (adult and child)
• Ontario court forms, including affidavits of services and affidavits of divorce
• Proof of life and residency for pension purposes
• Proof of residency
• Service Ontario/Ministry of Finance documents (including sworn statements, transfer deeds, etc.)
• Special invitations to family members overseas
• Statutory declarations, such as statutory declarations of marital status, statutory declarations of common law status, statutory declarations for name change applications or statutory declarations of identity
• Statutory Declaration by an Applicant to Correct an Error in Registration
• Statutory Declaration of Progress Payment Distribution by Contractor (CCDC 9A)

If you are unsure whether a document can be notarized online, we strongly recommend contacting the recipient before booking with us to ensure they will accept an e-signature and digital notarization.

• Wills and codicils (these must be signed in pen/wet ink) – Click here to learn more about our Virtual Witnessing Services.
• Powers of attorney (these must be signed in pen/wet ink) – Click here to learn more about our Virtual Witnessing Services.
• Trusts
• Negotiable instruments such as cheques, loan agreements and promissory notes
• Certified true copies of original documents
• Documents of title
• Lost passports
• Passport applications

If you have a digital document that was solely received in an electronic form and requires notarization, we are able to provide a digital-only certified true copy. To clarify, this refers to a document that was initially and exclusively created in an electronic/digital format, such as a PDF document, a Word file or any other electronic format.

Here are some examples of eligible electronic format documents:

• Banking statements
• Corporate documents, including articles of incorporation, certificates of incorporation, and by-laws
• Criminal record checks
• Employment offers
• Government-issued tax documents
• Insurance confirmation
• Invoices
• Mortgage documents
• Official correspondence/letters from the government or authorities
• Pay stubs
• Receipts
• Retail receipts
• Transcripts
• University/college enrolment documents
• Utility bills (hydro, gas, water)

If you are unsure whether a document can be notarized online, we strongly recommend contacting the recipient before booking with us to ensure they will accept an e-signature and digital notarization.

With remote online notary (RON) services, you can have your documents notarized quickly and conveniently from the comfort of your home or workplace. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Book your appointment: Schedule a convenient time to connect with a notary through our online platform.
2. Upload your documents and ID: Upload the documents you need notarized along with a valid government-issued ID (health cards excluded).
3. Confirmation email: After booking your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email from our booking software. This email will include details of your appointment including the date and time, along with instructions for joining the video call.
4. Connect with a notary via video call: At the scheduled date and time, you will connect with the notary via online video call.
5. Identity verification: The notary will verify your identity using the government-issued ID you provided prior to your appointment.
6. Sign your documents electronically: Once your identity has been verified, you will be guided through the process of electronically signing your documents. The notary will also electronically sign and stamp the document.
7. Pay invoice: After notarization, you’ll be invoiced for the total cost of the notary services provided. Full payment will be required before the end of your appointment.
8. Receive the completed documents: Upon successful payment, you will receive your notarized documents via email, or a hard copy will be mailed to you. You can then print or forward them as needed. It’s that easy!

If you require accommodations, we’re here to help! Ensuring accessibility is our top priority. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone, including people with disabilities. We’ll make every effort we can to accommodate you. Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@ilovelaw.ca so we can work together to meet your needs.

All you need is a device (computer, smartphone or tablet) with an internet connection, a camera and an email address. With these in place, our notary will be able to guide you through every step, making it smooth and easy to finalize your notarized documents.

With our virtual witnessing services, you can have your critical life documents executed (witnessed by a notary) quickly and conveniently all from the comfort of your own home. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Book your appointment: Schedule a convenient time to connect with a notary through our online platform.
2. Upload your documents and ID: Upload your unsigned document(s) along with a valid government-issued ID (health cards excluded).
3. Confirmation email: After booking your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email from our booking software. This email will include details of your appointment including the date and time, along with instructions for joining the video call.
4. Print your Will/POA: Print your documents prior to joining the video call.
5. Connect with a notary via video call: At the scheduled date and time, you will connect with the notary (lawyer/paralegal) via online video call.
6. Identity verification: The notary will verify your identity using the government-issued ID you provided prior to your appointment.
7. Signature: You will physically sign your documents with a pen (wet ink). The notary (lawyer/paralegal) and the second-provided witness will also physically sign their respective counterparts.
8. Pay invoice: After the execution (signing) of the documents, you’ll be invoiced for the total cost of the services provided. Payment in full will be required before the end of your appointment.
9. Send your documents: You will send your original signed documents back to us, and we will complete the affidavit of execution for your will and the notarial certificates for your powers of attorney.
10. Return: Once the documents are completed at our end, we will return them to you via mail or courier.
11. Store: Once you have received all of your documents, store them for safekeeping in a safe, secure, fireproof and waterproof location.

Yes, they are. Under the Succession Law Reform Act and the Substitute Decisions Act, virtual signing and witnessing of wills and powers of attorney are permitted and legal in Ontario.

No, we’ll provide you with one. We provide a convenient service with a lawyer or a paralegal serving as the first witness, as required by Ontario law. Additionally, we will provide a second witness who will join the video call to witness your critical life documents being signed.

An affidavit of execution is a document filled out by one of your witnesses, confirming they were present during the signing of your will. While this affidavit is not required by law to make your will legally binding, it plays a crucial role if your will needs to go through probate, which is the court’s formal acceptance of your will.

We recommend completing this step when you execute your will to avoid any potential future difficulties, such as being unable to locate your witnesses.

All you need is a device (computer, smartphone or tablet) with an internet connection, a camera and an email address.  From there, our notary will guide you through every step, making it smooth and easy to execute your critical life documents.

A Power of Attorney (POA) is an important legal document that grants authority to someone else to act on your behalf in various matters if you become incapacitated. For instance, a power of attorney for property manages your financial affairs, while a power of attorney for personal care assist with decisions regarding your health, such as the decision to transition to a long-term care facility. This legal instrument ensures your interests are protected and your affairs are properly managed even during challenging times.

This person you appoint to act on your behalf is called your “attorney.”  Although you can appoint a lawyer to be your attorney for property and personal care, an “attorney” in Canada does not have the same meaning as the word “attorney” in the United States.  Their role is to act in your best interests and ensure that your wishes are upheld.

No. You are not legally required to appoint an attorney for property or personal care. This is entirely your decision.

No. There is no legal requirement to hire a lawyer to complete your POAs. However, do consider hiring a lawyer, especially if your affairs are complicated.

It would be best to appoint someone you trust and believe would not misuse their power. People often choose family members or close friends. For your Continuing Power of Attorney for Property (CPOA), you should choose someone over 18 years old and, for your Power of Attorney for Personal Care (POAPC), someone over 16 years old.

Unless you limit your attorney’s authority, they can do almost anything with your property that you could do except make your Will or make a new POA on your behalf. Your attorney would manage your financial affairs, such as signing cheques, managing, buying or selling real estate, banking, buying consumer goods, and much more.

Your attorney for personal care would make decisions on your behalf regarding your healthcare, nutrition, accommodations, clothing, hygiene and safety. For example, your attorney could decide whether you should move to a long-term care home or stay in your home. Your attorney should always do what is best for you and try to make decisions you would have wanted for yourself.

When you make your POAPC and your CPOA, you can name a “substitute” attorney. This backup person can act on your behalf if your first-choice attorney is unable or unwilling to act in this role when the time comes. This backup person will have the same powers as your primary choice attorney.

Yes. As long as you are mentally capable, you can revoke (cancel), at any time, your CPOA and your POAPC. You must state in writing that you are “revoking” your CPOA and POAPC. There is no particular form to complete to revoke your POAs, but your revocation document must be signed and witnessed by two people, following the same rules that applied when you executed your POAs. You should also advise those familiar with your POAs that you have revoked and/or destroyed the documents. By doing so, you can prevent any confusion that may arise in the future.

The answer is yes. While a POA is an essential part of a comprehensive estate plan, it primarily protects you during your lifetime. On the other hand, a Will ensures the orderly distribution of your estate after your passing. This means that your POA ceases to be effective upon your death, and your Will takes precedence as the governing instrument to administer your estate.

In general, a person you pay to provide health care or similar services for you (such as a nurse, doctor, or social worker) cannot act as your attorney under a POAPC. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the person providing care is your spouse, your life partner or a close relative, they may be eligible to act as your attorney. It is important to carefully consider the qualifications and relationships of potential attorneys to ensure that your personal care decisions are entrusted to the right person.

Separation and divorce are two related legal processes that involve the dissolution of a relationship. Separation occurs when two parties decide to live apart while still remaining legally married. In contrast, divorce refers to the legal dissolution of a marriage, which necessitates filing a divorce application in court and complying with specific legal requirements. While separation can often lead to divorce, it does not signify the end of a marriage. A divorce is finalized when a court issues a divorce order.

Yes, a separation agreement can be modified if both parties agree to the changes. The modifications must be documented in writing, signed by both parties, and witnessed, following the same legal requirements as the execution of the original agreement, as set out in section 55 of the Family Law Act. Modifications can be made by either creating a new agreement or amending the original document to reflect the agreed-upon adjustments.

A cohabitation agreement is a legal document for couples who plan to live together or who are already cohabitating without intending to marry. It clarifies each partner’s rights and responsibilities concerning property and financial matters, which will become very important if the relationship ever ends. These agreements are particularly beneficial in situations where one partner already owns a home or the parties intend to purchase a home together without the intention to marry.

A prenuptial agreement, or “prenup,” is a legal document for couples who plan to marry. It clarifies various property and family law matters, and how those will be handled during their marriage, if the marriage ends, or upon the death of a spouse. It can also specify the amount of spousal support one partner will provide to the other if the parties separate. A postnuptial agreement serves the same purpose, but is established after the couples marry.

These agreements cannot address family law matters such as parenting time arrangements and decision-making responsibilities for shared children. These matters are resolved based on the children’s best interests at the time of separation, considering each parent’s ability to support the children’s well-being.

A common-law relationship typically refers to a couple living together in a marriage-like relationship without being legally married. Under Ontario’s Family Law Act, a couple is recognized as common-law partners after they have lived together for three years or have a child together and live in a relationship of some permanence. In contrast, Canada’s Federal Income Tax Act recognizes common-law partners as “spouses” for tax purposes as long as the couple has been living together for at least 12 months. The key difference lies in the duration and conditions for recognition. While the Family Law Act emphasizes the relationship’s permanence, the Income Tax Act focuses primarily on the cohabitation period.