What is a management plan and why does an Ontario court require one for a property guardianship application?

A management plan is a document filed as part of a property guardianship application under the Substitute Decisions Act that sets out, in concrete terms, how the proposed guardian intends to handle the incapable person's finances and property if appointed — things like their expected income and expenses, how assets will be preserved or invested, what debts or ongoing obligations need to be paid, and how the guardian plans to manage the property responsibly going forward.

Ontario courts require this because guardianship of property hands significant control over another person's finances to someone else, often for an indefinite period, and the court wants concrete assurance the proposed guardian has actually thought through how they'll manage the role responsibly, rather than simply being appointed and figuring it out afterward. A vague or incomplete management plan can delay or derail an application, since the court and, where relevant, the Public Guardian and Trustee reviewing the file may ask for more detail before an appointment is made. Because putting together a realistic, well-supported management plan takes real preparation — including gathering financial information about the incapable person's actual situation — work with a lawyer early to prepare one that will hold up to scrutiny.