MMC Legal Services

A member of the Nova Scotia Bar since 1991, I am both a lawyer and the parent of two young adults with disabilities. Being able to understand and move within these very different worlds has allowed me to become a strong and effective advocate for the disabled. In addition to my legal practice, I also offer presentations around the Province on various topics of interest to the disability community.

The difficulty explaining exactly how their family member's difficulties impact their daily life. Should you choose to retain me to bring a representation application, you will experience the additional benefit that comes from retaining counsel who has been a member of the disability community for over 20 years.

Did you know at 19 years of age, every person, disabled or not, is considered competent and capable of managing their own affairs? Did you know that you will have no more legal right to make binding legal decisions for that person than you would any other adult in the Province? No matter the reason for the disability, there are only three legal options available to support an adult with a disability.

From the school yard to the workplace and every public place in between, every Nova Scotian is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination based on mental or physical disability.

Discrimination can be direct, such as when your autistic child is not allowed to attend a class field trip or indirect, when a rule or policy may seem fair or intend to be fair, but actually causes certain people to be treated differently.Depending on the exact issue involved, the first line of defence is usually either the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission or the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Too often the estate planning process is put aside because we are uncomfortable discussing our eventual death and the distribution of our assets. It is always easier to put off these thoughts until a later date or when we get older or when we get sick. Unfortunately, that may be too late.

This process is important for everyone (no matter their financial situation) but it is crucial to create a proper estate plan if you have a family member with a disability.