What is one requirement for a power of attorney to be valid?

A power of attorney in Ontario is a legal document that allows one person to act on behalf of another in legal or financial matters. For a power of attorney to be valid, it must be in writing and signed by the grantor, who is the person giving authority. Importantly, the document also requires the signatures of two witnesses who are not named in the document. This is to ensure that the grantor was of sound mind at the time of signing and to help prevent any potential disputes regarding the validity of the power of attorney.

This requirement serves to provide an additional layer of protection and evidentiary support, safeguarding against issues such as undue influence or fraud. The witnesses must be present at the same time when the grantor signs the document, reinforcing the integrity of the transaction. Thus, the specification that the document must be written and witnessed by two witnesses is critical for establishing the legitimacy of the power of attorney.

The other options do not meet the necessary legal requirements for establishing a valid power of attorney in Ontario. An oral agreement lacks the formal documentation needed for such a significant legal authority, while a signature from the grantor alone does not fulfill the witness requirement. Filing the document in court is not a prerequisite for its validity but may be advisable