There are several ways in which the law allows you to help someone who is no longer able to manage their affairs on their own. For example, a power of attorney is a document that allows someone to make decisions for them about financial and legal matters. Another way the law allows for the management of someone else’s affairs is through a representation agreement, which allows someone to make decisions for them about personal care and health care matters, as well as financial and legal ones.

Good starting points to learn more about what your options are include:

• Power of Attorney and Representation Agreements, from the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch, provides an overview of what a power of attorney and a representation agreement can do and when you might want to use them.
• Power of Attorney, from the People's Law School, explains how a power of attorney can help someone else manage your current and future financial affairs if you cannot look after them yourself.
• Committeeship, from the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch, explains what a committee is, what it can do, and what your responsibilities are as a committee.
• LSLAP Manual: Guardianship, from the UBC Law Students Legal Advice Program, outlines the legal options ranging from proactive personal planning tools to court appointed guardians.
• For further information also see Should I have an enduring power of attorney or representation agreement?.

tags

adult guardianship, committee, power of attorney, representation agreement