Wills & Power of Attorney: Prince Edward Island
This page is the free Prince Edward Island guide. No sign-in. Read on, or take the checklist as a PDF.
Facts checked September 2026 · See what changed · How we check
Province-specific rules for Prince Edward Island: will requirements (age 18, no standalone holograph), and the Enduring Power of Attorney, and the Health Care Directive.
General information only, not legal advice. This guide creates no will, POA, or directive. Laws change; consult a lawyer and verify current rules directly with the official provincial source before acting.
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Part 1: Will
Open this section ↓Minimum age
18 years old
No will made by an unmarried person under 18 is valid (Probate Act s.59). A will of a member of the Armed Forces or a mariner is not invalid merely because they are under 18 (s.62(2)).
Witnesses required
2 witnesses present at the same time who sign in the presence of the testator AND in the presence of each other (s.60). PEI requires witnesses to sign in each other's presence, not just in the testator's presence.
Holograph (handwritten, no witnesses)
NOT VALID as standaloneNOT valid in PEI as a standalone form. Only a privileged will (military/mariner) may be made without proper witnesses (s.62). Use the 2-witness process.
Curative power (court can fix a flawed will)
YESCourts have curative power (s.70) BUT it requires the deceased's signature. A document that lacks the deceased's signature cannot be saved.
Official source
Probate Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. P-21, Part III↑ Close this sectionNever have a beneficiary witness your will
A beneficiary's (or their spouse's) gift is "utterly null and void" if the beneficiary witnesses the will (s.65). PEI has NO saving power for this: it is the strictest beneficiary-witness rule in Canada. Never have a beneficiary witness your will in PEI.
PEI strictest rule: the gift is “utterly null and void”, and there is absolutely no court saving power. Use independent witnesses only.
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Part 2: Power of Attorney for Property
Open this section ↓Prince Edward Island special requirement
Use only the NEW Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives Act (S.P.E.I. 2023, c. 34 / Cap. P-16.1). The old Powers of Attorney Act was REPEALED November 1, 2025. Any form or kit based on the old Act is invalid.
Called in Prince Edward Island
Enduring Power of Attorney
The person you appoint is called
attorney
Witnessing required
1 witness; disqualified: the attorney/agent, a family member of the attorney/agent, their employee or representative (unless the attorney is a lawyer, the Public Guardian and Trustee, or a trust company), and anyone under 18 (new Act, s.32).
Enduring (survives incapacity)
Yes, survives incapacity (must be drafted as "enduring").
Can be made springing (contingent on incapacity)
Yes, can take effect only when a triggering event (such as incapacity certified by a doctor) occurs. Discuss with a lawyer.
Partner · Guidepost earns a commission↑ Close this sectionIf you go the do-it-yourself route, a template service such as LawDepot's power of attorney walks you through the questions; the witnessing rules above still apply.
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Part 3: Personal-Care / Health-Care Directive
Open this section ↓Called in Prince Edward Island
Health Care Directive
The person you appoint is called
proxy
Witnessing required
A directive must be in writing and dated. If the maker signs it themselves no witness is required; if someone else signs at the maker's direction, that signing is witnessed by a person who is not the proxy or the proxy's spouse (Consent to Treatment and Health Care Directives Act s.21). Treatment instructions and the proxy appointment may be in the same document.
Partner · Guidepost earns a commission↑ Close this sectionIf you go the do-it-yourself route, a template service such as LawDepot's personal directive walks you through the questions; the witnessing rules above still apply.
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When to see a lawyer in Prince Edward Island
Open this section ↓Making or updating a will: always recommended. A lawyer-drafted will is typically inexpensive relative to estate value.Any power of attorney for property or personal-care directive, the person you appoint will have significant authority.Prince Edward Island: a handwritten (holograph) will is not automatically valid. Use the proper witnessed process.Prince Edward Island: a property POA legally requires a PE lawyer, a lawyer is not optional here.Complex situations: business interests, cross-border assets, blended family, minor children, or capacity concerns.Verify current rules with a lawyer, legislation changes and this guide may not reflect the most recent amendments.Download the Prince Edward Island checklist
All the instrument names, witnessing rules, and checklist items above in a branded PDF. Free. This checklist does not create any legal document.
Free. General information only, not legal or regulatory advice.
Keep it with the rest. This one files behind tab 7 of the Home File.
Next step
Executor Guide: Prince Edward Island
Named as executor? Probate, CRA TX19, compensation.
When Someone Dies: Prince Edward Island
Death Certificate, Service Canada, CRA: free checklist.
Where Everything Is: the non-legal companion to a will and powers of attorney →
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Common questions: Prince Edward Island
Open this section ↓What is the minimum age to make a will in Prince Edward Island?
In Prince Edward Island, the minimum age is 18. No will made by an unmarried person under 18 is valid (Probate Act s.59). A will of a member of the Armed Forces or a mariner is not invalid merely because they are under 18 (s.62(2)).Is a handwritten (holograph) will valid in Prince Edward Island?
NOT valid in PEI as a standalone form. Only a privileged will (military/mariner) may be made without proper witnesses (s.62). Use the 2-witness process.What is a power of attorney for property called in Prince Edward Island?
In Prince Edward Island it is called a "Enduring Power of Attorney". The person appointed is the attorney. Use only the NEW Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives Act (S.P.E.I. 2023, c. 34 / Cap. P-16.1). The old Powers of Attorney Act was REPEALED November 1, 2025. Any form or kit based on the old Act is invalid. Witnessing: 1 witness; disqualified: the attorney/agent, a family member of the attorney/agent, their employee or representative (unless the attorney is a lawyer, the Public Guardian and Trustee, or a trust company), and anyone under 18 (new Act, s.32).What is a personal-care directive called in Prince Edward Island?
In Prince Edward Island it is called a "Health Care Directive". The person appointed is the proxy. Witnessing: A directive must be in writing and dated. If the maker signs it themselves no witness is required; if someone else signs at the maker's direction, that signing is witnessed by a person who is not the proxy or the proxy's spouse (Consent to Treatment and Health Care Directives Act s.21). Treatment instructions and the proxy appointment may be in the same document.What laws govern wills and powers of attorney in Prince Edward Island?
In Prince Edward Island, wills are governed by the Probate Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. P-21, Part III, and powers of attorney for property by the Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives Act, S.P.E.I. 2023, c. 34 (Cap. P-16.1), in force November 1, 2025. Each section on this page links to the official source.Wills & POA guides for other provinces
Facts checked September 2026
Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide is for general informational purposes only. Full disclaimer
↑ Close this section
Informational guide only. Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide explains the typical process and is not legal advice. Requirements can change. Verify current rules with the relevant government authority or a qualified professional before you act.