Mental Health
Mental Health Law is a complex and evolving field that impacts many different areas of a person’s life. It can include criminal law, care of loved ones, consent to medical treatments, control of finances, end of life decisions, and involuntary admissions to facilities. We understand it is particularly important that autonomy and self determination be respected when individuals are interacting with the mental health field. Our lawyers have successfully advocated for clients at the consent and capacity board as well as appeals of the board’s decisions, resulting in our clients being granted the dignity to make treatment decisions, manage their finances, and determine whether they wish to remain in facilities.
We assist people interacting with various mental health services in order to make sure their rights are respected and protected. This includes the following circumstances:
- Being held in a psychiatric facility against your will
- Being found incapable to make treatment decisions
- Being found incapable to make property decisions
- Being on a Community Treatment Order
- Elder care issues
- Capacity related to treatment and admission to care facilities
- Substitute decision maker disputes
- Consent and Capacity Board Hearings
- Consent and Capacity Board Appeals
- Ontario Review Board Hearings
How we can help
We can help our clients navigate through all stages of mental health proceedings, such as discussions with doctors involved in the findings, advocating for privileges, consent and capacity board hearings, consent and capacity board appeals, and more. It is important you retain a lawyer with experience in mental health law when you find yourself in a situation where your rights are in jeopardy. Our office can be reached by telephone at either 807-623-3000 or toll-free at 1-877-266-6646.
Our Approach
At Courtis, Desmoulin Law Office we take a straightforward, client-centered approach to mental health law. We also place a strong emphasis on client communication. We strive to provide you with straightforward advice, to educate you about the process and to involve you in all important strategic decisions in your case. We understand and respect your autonomy and are ready to advocate for you.
What will it cost
The total cost of legal representation in a mental health matter can vary greatly depending on the nature of the issues and case and the time it will take to bring a matter to its conclusion. Our lawyers accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates. To determine whether you are eligible for legal aid, you should consult the Legal Aid Ontario website. Our lawyers also accept Legal Aid certificates issued by Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services. To contact Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services to determine if you are eligible for a certificate, please click here for their contact information.
If you have questions about your rights, it is critical that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Please feel free to call Courtis, Desmoulin Law Office toll-free at 1-877-266-6646 or 807-623-3000.
Where we work
Our firm has a history of serving clients not only in Thunder Bay, but throughout Northwestern Ontario. Our lawyers routinely travel to meet with clients in communities across the region, including fly-in First Nations communities. For more information about service in your location, please call Courtis, Desmoulin Law Office toll free at 1-877-266-6646 or 807-623-3000.