In April 2025, the Government of Nova Scotia, in partnership with the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS), launched a new digital tool: the POA-E app, a free, online platform that allows residents to create a legally valid Power of Attorney document. Funded with a $135,000 provincial investment, the app is part of a broader initiative to improve access to justice and empower Nova Scotians to plan for incapacity.
While this development is a welcome step toward legal accessibility, it also presents important implications for estate lawyers. As digital legal tools become more prevalent, practitioners must consider how to adapt their services, educate clients, and manage the risks associated with DIY legal documents.
A Shift Toward Digital Legal Services
The POA-E app joins LISNS’ suite of free tools, including those for wills, personal directives, work safety, safe spaces, small claims court, and financial help for youth under 25. It is designed to help individuals create a POA without needing to consult a lawyer.
This initiative reflects a broader trend toward digitization in legal services, driven by public demand for convenience, affordability, and autonomy. While the app is not a substitute for legal advice, it may reduce the number of clients seeking traditional POA drafting services, especially for straightforward scenarios. For estate lawyers, this shift is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Implications for Legal Practice
The introduction of the POA-E app raises several key considerations for estate practitioners:
- Client Education: Lawyers may need to spend more time educating clients on the limitations of DIY legal tools and emphasize the value of legal advice. Clients may not fully understand the legal significance of a POA or the risks of appointing the wrong attorney. While the app may suffice for simple scenarios, it may not address complex family dynamics, blended families, or asset protection strategies.
- Risk Management: There is potential for improperly executed or misunderstood POAs to lead to disputes or litigation, especially when issues of capacity, undue influence, or financial abuse arise. Lawyers should be prepared to review and validate documents created through the app, especially when they become relevant in estate administration or elder care contexts.
- Practice Differentiation: This is an opportunity for lawyers to differentiate their services by emphasizing the value of personalized legal advice, strategic planning, and solutions for complex scenarios, particularly in high-stakes or nuanced situations.
Access to Justice vs. Legal Complexity
The POA-E app is a great step towards improving access to justice and using technology to do so. However, estate lawyers know that POAs are not one-size-fits-all. Issues like joint appointments, compensation clauses, and revocation procedures require careful consideration.
Moreover, the app does not replace the need for capacity assessments, which can be critical in POA disputes. Lawyers must remain vigilant in identifying red flags and advising clients accordingly.
Looking Ahead
Estate lawyers might consider the app as a gateway to deeper client engagement. Clients who begin with the app may later seek professional advice when their circumstances evolve. Additionally, lawyers can play a key role in public education, helping clients understand when a DIY approach is sufficient, and when it’s not.
As Nova Scotia continues to modernize its justice system, estate lawyers have an opportunity to lead the conversation, advocate for best practices, and ensure that digital tools enhance the integrity of legal planning and access to justice.
Thanks for reading!
Darien Murray