Understanding A Representation Agreement In BC
While a General Power of Attorney helps you appoint an individual to handle your legal, financial, business, and administrative affairs, it does not include healthcare and personal care. For such matters, you will need a representation agreement.
A representation agreement lets you choose a representative who makes decisions related to your healthcare and personal well-being on your behalf. This happens when you can no longer look out for yourself.
Cube Law helps you prepare an elaborate and precise representation agreement in BC. Our lawyers help you add all necessary provisions and explain all legal procedures to follow. If you are still on the fence about drafting this agreement, you can always contact our lawyers, and they will explain to you the benefits involved in detail.
When you lose the mental or physical capacity to take care of yourself, things can get complicated. You lose control, and people may take advantage of this vulnerable situation. A representation agreement helps you decide for yourself and secure your future while you can.
However, remember that a representation agreement does not cover medical assistance in dying.
This representation agreement is prepared for adults with reduced mental capacity who can still understand the basics of having someone take care of their needs.
It is ideal for people who still haven’t lost all mental capacity to make sound decisions, including:
If you wish to help your loved one under such circumstances, you can work with your representation agreement lawyer in BC to look after needs like:
This representation agreement is suitable for adults with full mental capacity wanting to plan ahead. They prepare this document to ensure their well-being when they become mentally and/or physically incapable.
Unlike Section 7, Section 9 requires you to have complete mental capacity while preparing this document. While this will give you a representative to look after your health and personal care, it won’t give them financial authority.
Irrespective of the type of representation agreement you choose, our estate planning lawyer in Surrey will help you draft and review it thoroughly. Our lawyers work with the creators of such agreements as well as their representatives to work in their best interests.
If you live in British Columbia, find an experienced lawyer who will help you prepare your representation agreement in BC. Give the legal professional details about the representative you have chosen, the decisions they can take, when they can start taking these decisions, alternative representatives, and more.
A representation agreement covers multiple areas of authority revolving around health and personal care. These include choosing specific treatment, admitting to suitable care facilities, making daily living arrangements, regulating diet, and more. You can also choose your representative to look after specific areas and limit their authority.
A representation agreement in BC can end if the person preparing it revokes the document while being mentally capable. It also ends once it reaches its expiry date (if mentioned). The agreement automatically ends with the concerned individual’s demise.
Anyone above the age of 19 and mentally capable can become a representative in BC. However, note that you cannot appoint the paid caregivers working for you or the professionals working at a care facility you are admitted as your representatives.
Yes, in fact, it is recommended to have both these documents in BC. At Cube Law, our estate planning lawyers in BC will help you prepare a POA and a representation agreement. Share your preferences and circumstances with them during the initial consultation, and they will guide you accordingly.
If you wish to prepare a representation agreement in Surrey, you will need to sign it with two witnesses present. These people cannot be the people you have appointed as your representatives or alternative representatives in the document.
If you are unable to make personal or health care decisions for yourself, Cube Law Corporation offers services to help you create a representation agreement. This legal document authorizes a representative to make these decisions on your behalf. It’s essential to keep in mind that medical assistance in dying is not included in the representation agreement. Our lawyer can provide you with guidance throughout the process and ensure that your representation agreement reflects your unique requirements and preferences.
Why make a REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT
Benefits of Representation Agreements
If you’re still unsure if you would like create a representation agreement, Cube Law Corporation can help you have a further understanding on what are the benefits of having one. Most people who agree to a representation agreement, agree to do so because of the benefits that they will have in the long run. This includes having control of any personal decisions that you wished to make in case of a medical emergency or becoming incapable. This also ensures that any of your critical requests and decisions are considered and followed. A Representation agreement can also give your representative the legal authority to make personal care decisions for you at a time when you may be vulnerable to being taken advantage of. If you don’t have a Representation Agreement, a family member or friend will have to make an expensive court application to be appointed to a committee to look after your affairs if you become incapacitated.
TYPES OF REPRESENTATION AGREEMENTS
An Agreement with only “Limited Powers” or sometimes referred to as “Section 7” Representation Agreement (RA7) is the act that allows you to make a basic representation agreement that covers daily routine living requirements. These routines can include but is not limited to your personal care (e.g., basic hygiene requirements), managing your financial affairs (e.g., payment of your bills, etc.), minor and major healthcare routines and obtaining legal services for you such as instructing lawyers, with respect to legal proceedings.
