Our Law Services

Represented Adult Applications & Litigation

What happens if you or someone you love loses the ability to make financial or personal decisions, without a power of attorney or personal directive in place that would appoint an individual to make those decisions?

In such cases, Alberta law allows individuals — usually family members — to apply to be the guardian and/or trustee for the “incapacitated” adult. This application is called a represented adult application because the adult who has lost capacity will need representation in making financial and personal decisions.

A guardian and/or trustee is a fiduciary and must always act in the represented adult’s best interests. Usually, the guardian and/or trustee is a close and trusted family member or friend of the represented adult. An individual can make an application in one of two ways:

  • by desktop application, when the application is NOT contested
  • by hearing, if someone contests the individual’s application, or if the application is made on an urgent or emergency basis.

Guardianship
A guardian makes medical and personal decisions. Common decisions that a guardian makes include decisions about:

  • the adult’s health
  • where, with whom, and under what conditions the adult is to live, either permanently or temporarily
  • the persons with whom the adult may associate
  • the adult’s participation in social activities
  • the adult’s participation in any education, vocational, or other training
  • the adult’s employment
  • the carrying on of any legal proceeding that does not relate primarily to the financial matters of the adult

The individual applying to be a guardian must provide a guardianship plan, which contemplates the major decisions the represented adult faces in the next five or six years.

Trusteeship
A trusteeship order appointments someone to make financial decisions on behalf of a represented person.

COVID-19

In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, effective March 23, 2020, the majority of our lawyers and employees will be working remotely. All lawyers and employees have the ability to work remotely with access to electronic mail, telephone systems and electronic files. We remain dedicated and committed to helping our clients and providing a high level of legal services.

Our Team

Weir Bowen lawyers have the experience to proceed effectively through all the steps in civil actions.

Whichever lawyer represents you, your case will be supported by the collective knowledge of our entire firm.

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