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Difference between revisions of "You Have Been Appointed as an Attorney"

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If you want to learn about '''making''' a power of attorney, this guide is not designed for you.  Talk with a lawyer or notary public. These resources are also helpful:
If you want to learn about '''making''' a power of attorney, this guide is not designed for you.  Talk with a lawyer or notary public. These resources are also helpful:
* The information on “[http://www.peopleslawschool.ca/everyday-legal-problems/wills-estates/personal-planning-powers-attorney Power of Attorney]” from People’s Law School.  
*The information on “[http://www.peopleslawschool.ca/everyday-legal-problems/wills-estates/personal-planning-powers-attorney Power of Attorney]” from People’s Law School.  
* The “[http://www.nidus.ca/PDFs/Nidus_Guide_EPA.pdf Guide to Making & Registering Your Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA])” from Nidus.  
*The “[http://www.nidus.ca/PDFs/Nidus_Guide_EPA.pdf Guide to Making & Registering Your Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA])” from Nidus.  
* The website [http://mylawbc.com/paths/wills/ MyLawBC] from Legal Services Society, the agency that provides legal aid in BC. The site has a tool to help you decide what documents to create to plan for your future.
*The website [http://mylawbc.com/paths/wills/ MyLawBC] from Legal Services Society, the agency that provides legal aid in BC. The site has a tool to help you decide what documents to create to plan for your future.


==A scenario==
==A scenario==
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When you act as an attorney for Martina, you have four key duties you must keep in mind:
When you act as an attorney for Martina, you have four key duties you must keep in mind:
# Act honestly, in good faith and in Martina’s best interest.  
#Act honestly, in good faith and in Martina’s best interest.  
# Manage Martina’s money and property carefully.
#Manage Martina’s money and property carefully.
# Act within the authority you are given and within the law.
#Act within the authority you are given and within the law.
# Keep good records.
#Keep good records.


These duties are explained in the section “[[Four Key Duties of a Fiduciary]]”. They apply whether you are managing a lot of money or a little. They apply whether you are a family member or not.
These duties are explained in the section “[[Four Key Duties of a Fiduciary]]”. They apply whether you are managing a lot of money or a little. They apply whether you are a family member or not.
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Consider how difficult the task is likely to be. Take into account things such as:
Consider how difficult the task is likely to be. Take into account things such as:
* the value and nature of the adult’s property  
*the value and nature of the adult’s property  
* how organized their affairs and papers are  
*how organized their affairs and papers are  
* views of family members and concerned friends, and the potential for disagreement among them  
*views of family members and concerned friends, and the potential for disagreement among them  
* if there are multiple attorneys, the potential for disagreement with them  
*if there are multiple attorneys, the potential for disagreement with them  


Consider whether the power of attorney provides for the attorney to be paid for their time. [http://canlii.ca/t/849l The law] says you can be paid for acting as an attorney under an enduring power of attorney '''only''' if the document says you can and sets out the amount or rate.  
Consider whether the power of attorney provides for the attorney to be paid for their time. [http://canlii.ca/t/849l The law] says you can be paid for acting as an attorney under an enduring power of attorney '''only''' if the document says you can and sets out the amount or rate.  
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| text = In your role as attorney, you may deal with other types of fiduciaries. These may include:  
| text = In your role as attorney, you may deal with other types of fiduciaries. These may include:  
* '''Trustee under a trust:''' A person who holds property for the benefit of another person, the beneficiary.  
*'''Trustee under a trust:''' A person who holds property for the benefit of another person, the beneficiary.  
* '''Representative under a “section 7 representation agreement”:''' A person authorized to make decisions for another person—including on “routine” financial affairs and most legal matters—when the person can no longer manage on their own.  
*'''Representative under a “section 7 representation agreement”:''' A person authorized to make decisions for another person—including on “routine” financial affairs and most legal matters—when the person can no longer manage on their own.  
* '''Pension trustee or, for veterans, pension administrator:''' A person appointed by a government agency to manage government money that is paid to someone.  
*'''Pension trustee or, for veterans, pension administrator:''' A person appointed by a government agency to manage government money that is paid to someone.  
* '''Guardian or committee:''' A person appointed by a court to manage money and property for someone who needs help.  
*'''Guardian or committee:''' A person appointed by a court to manage money and property for someone who needs help.  
}}
}}
{{Managing Someone Else's Money Navbox}}
{{Managing Someone Else's Money Navbox}}
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