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Pursuant to section 79 of the Substitute Decisions Act, the court has discretion to order a capacity assessment of an individual if the person’s capacity is an issue in a proceeding under the SDA. The court must also be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person is incapable. 

Where a capacity assessment has already been obtained, the court will be reluctant to order a further capacity assessment of an individual, unless the court has, for example, concerns about the lack of detail or objectivity within the assessment that has already been obtained. 

 

In Forgione v. Forgione, the court was concerned about the adequacy of the assessment carried out by a medical doctor. The court did not know what background information the doctor had or what, if any, influence anyone other than one family member may have had on the process. The report was very brief and consisted largely of conclusions without analysis. There were a number of facts and conflicting versions of facts which, in the court’s view, warranted further examination because they raised questions about the capacity and vulnerability of the incapable. A second assessment was ordered.

In Mesesnel (Attorney of) v. Kumer, Greer, J ordered a second assessment. It was the attorney’s position that the doctor had taken a strong personal dislike to him and that such dislike had influenced the doctor and affected the doctor’s objectivity. The doctor had originally been ordered by the court to prepare one comprehensive report; instead he prepared three separate reports which he made available over a three-month period. Moreover, none of the standard tests, except the Folstein test, was employed by the doctor, regarding the capability of the person to manage his affairs. The doctor’s criticisms of the attorney throughout the report were enough, in the court’s view, to raise the suspicion of bias in his reports.

While Greer, J. was aware that an assessment could cause the incapable some anguish, she was of the view that it was essential to have a second assessment in order that there be full and fair medical and neurological data before the court when the issues were determined.

 

Justin.

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Listen to Accounting Procedure Available Under the Substitution Decisions Act.

This week on Hull on Estates, Rick and David discuss procedure under the Substitution Decisions Act and review executor and attorney obligations as well as specific procedures permitting someone to compel an accounting.

Comments? Send us an email at hull.lawyers@gmail.com, call us on the comment line at 206-350-6636, or leave us a comment on the Hull on Estates blog.

Accounting Procedure Available Under the Substitute Decisions Act - Hull on Estates Podcast #98

Posted on February 19^th, 2008 by Hull & Hull LLP

 

David Smith: Hello, welcome to Hull on Estates. You’re listening to Episode #98 in our continuing podcast series on Tuesday, February 19^th, 2008.

 

Welcome to Hull on Estates, a series of podcasts for the Canadian legal community dealing with issues and insights surrounding estate planning in Canada.   Hosted by the lawyers of Hull & Hull, the podcast will touch on some key considerations when planning estates and Wills.  Now, here are today’s hosts.

 

David Smith: Hello Rick.

 

Rick Bickhram: Hi Dave. How are you doing today?

 

David Smith: You know, I’m doing well, Rick. And, you know, today we’ve decided… its David Smith here and I’m with Rick Bickhram of my office.  And we’ve decided today, Rick, that what we’re going to podcast on is a bit of a potpourri but the focus is really going to be on the accounting procedure available under the Substitute Decisions Act. And in particular, how the obligation to account as an attorney is the same as or is different from the obligation to account as an executor, for instance. And then we thought we’d talk about the specific procedures under the Substitute Decisions Act that permit someone to compel an accounting. So Rick, let’s talk about this whole idea of accounting generally. What is it about an attorney that opens them up to the whole concept of a duty to account?

 

Rick Bickhram: That’s a good question, Dave. My understanding is that an attorney, by virtue of the fact that you’re an attorney, there’s a fiduciary relationship. And that fiduciary relationship is established by the fact that the attorney has the power to do what the incapable person or on behalf of the incapable person, anything that the incapable person would have been able to do had he or she been capable.

 

David Smith: You know, and that’s right, Rick. And certainly, when we’re talking about the Substitute Decisions Act, intuitively we’re thinking about someone substituting their decision-making role for that of someone who can’t otherwise exercise it. Of course, the Substitute Decisions Act also applies to people who are perfectly capable, but who voluntarily surrender their decision-making ability to someone in more of a principal/ agent relationship. But you’re quite right, it’s a fiduciary relationship and it’s clearly a fiduciary relationship when the grantor of the Power of Attorney is incapable, isn’t it?

Rick Bickhram: Absolutely. And I think it’s also important to note that the fiduciary in the fiduciary relationship, whether it be voluntary or involuntary, the attorney or a guardian in the situation would have the ability to manage the grantor’s or incapable person’s finances.

 

David Smith: And that’s where the duty to account comes in, isn’t it, Rick?

 

Rick Bickhram: Absolutely, Dave.

 

David Smith: Rick, when we talk about the form of accounts, obviously it’s beyond the ambit of our discussion today to talk about the form of accounts and the whole process of a passing of accounts which is clearly a subject matter for another podcast. But I think continuing on with this idea of the concept of a duty to account, what ties into that and what we really want to explore to some extent today is, how do we compel an accounting? And what does the Substitute Decisions Act say to the duty of an attorney to account, and what remedies are available to someone who wants to compel an accounting?

 

Rick Bickhram: Well Dave, the authority to obtain an Order to compel an attorney to account can be found under Section 42 of the Substitute Decisions Act. Now under Section 42 of the Substitute Decisions Act, specifically sub-section 1, it states that the Court may, on an application, order that all or a specific part of the accounts of an attorney or guardian be passed. Going through this section, it lists the types of individuals who can bring this application to obtain this unique remedy.

 

David Smith: And who are those people, Rick?

 

Rick Bickhram: Under sub-section 4-- well, first of all, let me take a step back. Looking at sub-section 2, it states an attorney, the grantor or any of the persons listed in sub-section 4, may apply to pass the attorney’s accounts. From this, I gather that it means the attorney or the grantor of the Power of Attorney. Sub-section 4 states the grantor or incapable person’s guardian of the person or attorney for personal care. As we all know, a Power of Attorney can be given with respect to property and personal care. Section 42, sub-section 4, sub 1 states that it’s the guardian or attorney for the personal care that can proceed with the Court application to compel a passing of accounts.

 

David Smith: Okay, and that’s an interesting safeguard, isn’t it? Because, I mean, there’s a fair bit of case law dealing with situations where somebody appoints different people to be their attorneys for property and attorneys for personal care respectively. And quite often, there’s conflict between those two and the attorney for personal care who, for example, chooses a care facility for a senior grantor, may run into conflict with the person who’s paying the bills, namely the attorney for property. So intuitively, it makes some sense actually to give that attorney for personal care the power to say to the attorney for property, “Hey, attorney for property, I’m not satisfied that you’re doing everything you should or I want to see what you’re doing and make sure that the books are in order”. What about… what other people have the ability there?

 

Rick Bickhram: Under Section 42, sub-section 4, sub 2, a dependant of the grantor or incapable person. So the individual who grants the Power of Attorney or has been declared incapable, may move by way of a Court application to obtain a passing of accounts from the attorney or guardian. The third, I guess this is an entity, the Public Guardian and Trustee may move by way of an application to obtain a passing of accounts.

 

David Smith: Right and then the remaining 3, Rick, are the Children’s Lawyer, in the case of a minor who’s got an interest.  There’s obviously some standing there for them to do it. I think the next two are the most interesting. A judgment creditor of the grantor or incapable person. That’s a rarely used remedy in my experience, but it’s certainly interesting to think that somebody who is owed money by the grantor of the Power of Attorney or the incapable person can seek to compel an accounting, presumably as a way of seeking to recover monies to which they’re owed. So it’s very interesting that that person is given that remedy. And then, of course, the last one is any other person with leave of the Court. And I guess, you know, the interesting question there is, what is the test that the Court’s going to require before granting leave to someone? And certainly, in my experience, the Court is going to say to an applicant seeking leave, what is your reason for doing this? What is your standing before the Court to seek an accounting? Do you have any relationship to the person? Be you a blood relative or someone else with good cause to be concerned about the management of the person’s finances? And Rick, what do you think we’d need to do in terms of Affidavit evidence on that application, to convince a judge that our client should get leave?

 

Rick Bickhram: The person who is trying to obtain leave would have to demonstrate in his Affidavit that there was a relationship between himself and the incapable person or the grantor who’s granted the Power of Attorney in the situation. Also I would like to believe that the individual, the deponent here, who’s making this Affidavit, would probably want to establish some type of financial interest. Why is it that he’s seeking and why is that he is seeking a compelling of the accounts? What is his interest in this individual or this individual’s estate?

 

David Smith: Yeah, and you know, that’s a really interesting point, Rick, and something I wrestle with, with clients quite often in the sense that look, quite often, you’ll be dealing with a situation where you’ll have persons who have a financial interest on the death of the grantor. And the problem is this; if they go in front of the Court seeking leave to compel an accounting and say “My interest in this matter is that I have a financial interest on the death of the grantor, therefore in order to make sure that the amount I eventually inherit has not been improperly squandered before the death of the grantor, I want to monitor what’s being done with the money.” Of course, the problem with making that pitch is that the judge hearing this will be inclined to say, “Well, hold on a second. My job is not to protect the inheritance of the grantor for the benefit of the person who benefits under the estate. It’s to make sure the grantor is well looked after”. And the way I approach that is to say, “Certainly it’s relevant to say that you’ve got an expectation of an inheritance and that does give you some financial standing.” On the other hand, I think the Affidavit has to be crafted in such a way as to make it clear to the judge that the overriding, compelling basis by which the person is seeking leave to compel an accounting is to look out for the best interests of the grantor because the Court is not going to care one iota about preserving the inheritance of the grantor for the benefit of the person seeking leave, is it?

 

Rick Bickhram: And that makes complete sense, Dave. And if you think about it, I guess as an attorney or as a solicitor, I would be a little reluctant to go in front of the judge and explain to the judge that my client is, you know, pretty much monitoring his financial interest in the estate, especially being that the individual, the individual being the grantor or the incapable person, is still alive, it’s his money. And right now, the first concern should be his well-being.

 

David Smith: Right.  So fine line there. But, you know, something that needs to be mentioned because it does, as you stated at the outset there Rick, tie into what is the interest of the person seeking leave. And a complete stranger seeking to compel an accounting isn’t going to get anywhere if they can’t show a compelling relationship with the grantor. Now Rick, looking at the time, you know, we’re getting close to the end of the podcast.  Did, before we finish, want to touch on Section 39 of the Substitute Decisions Act. And this is a really interesting Section in my mind. It’s probably an underused Section for anyone engaged in capacity litigation. And what it is, is it’s a Section of the Act which provides directions from the Court and I’ll read it. It says, “If an incapable person has a guardian or an attorney under a continuing Power of Attorney, the Court may give directions on any question arising in the management of the property”. And that’s pretty broad language, isn’t it, Rick?

 

Rick Bickhram: Absolutely. And as I was reading through this section earlier today, I was thinking to myself, “What is the prospects or how likely is it that the individual would bring or ask for a remedy seeking the passing of accounts under this Section, you know, versus 42.” I understand that 42 specifically sets out a passing of accounts. But let’s say there are other Orders that they’re seeking. You would very well stick in Section 39 in there.

 

David Smith: That’s absolutely right, Rick. I think these two Sections can quite often be used together. And it’s an important tool for the litigator to keep in mind. If you look at the people who are eligible to apply under Section 39. Section 39, sub 3, similarly provides the Court with the power to grant leave to anyone to apply for directions. And the nice thing about Section 39 is you might have a situation where you don’t have a guardianship application; that’s to say that your client isn’t seeking guardianship of the incapable person, but is seeking more than merely an accounting. And Section 39 is this nice… it gives you this nice, intermediary approach between a full blown guardianship application on the one hand and an application for directions or to compel a passing of accounts rather. And it gives you that much more room and it’s nice, broad language. You know, you can be creative, you do some lateral thinking and really, you know, use that Section to your advantage. And remember, the Court is under a duty here to supervise the role of the attorney, the role of the guardian. It’s a powerful Section and the Court has a great deal of power under this Section and it should always be considered when looking at remedies available to the client who is seeking to look out for the concerns of an incapable grantor of a Power of Attorney.

 

Rick Bickhram: Great point, Dave. Well looking at the time, it looks like we are just about at the end of our podcast. It was great talking with you today, Dave.

 

David Smith: You know Rick, I enjoyed it too and we’ll look forward to the next opportunity to podcast. Take care.

 

This has been Hull on Estates with the lawyers of Hull & Hull.  The podcast you have been listening to has been provided as an information service.  It is a summary of current legal issues in estates and estate planning.  It is not legal advice and you are reminded to always talk with a legal professional regarding your specific circumstances.

 

To listen to other podcasts, or to leave a question or comment, please visit our website at www.hullandhull.com.

 

Our theme music is Upper Structure by DJ AKid  and is courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.

 

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The Prince Edward Island court recently entertained an Application for directions by the trustees of the estate of Owen Connolly, reported at Connolly Estate (Re) [2006] P.E.I.J. No. 61.

Mr. Connolly died in 1887. He left a will which established a trust “for the purpose of educating or assisting to educate poor children resident in Prince Edward Island who are members of the Roman Catholic Church and who are either Irish or the sons of Irish farmers...".

The trust was said to have paid out over $1 million in bursaries since inception, and had a reserved capital of approximately $1 million.

The trustees stated that with the passage of time, the question of eligibility had become more difficult. The trustees sought direction from the court as to whether eligibility was open only to males, and whether eligibility was open to those who had “significant” Irish ancestry, being at least 50%.

It was noted that the administration of the trust was not affected by the discrimination provisions of the relevant human rights legislation.

The court had little difficulty in concluding that the trust did not benefit males only.

A more difficult question is what was meant by the term "Irish". The court reviewed the history of Ireland and its society and noted that 19th century Ireland was not the product of a pure strain of "Irish", but was a melding of a variety of ethnic strains of immigrants who arrived at different times through history. The court traced the history of Ireland back to 3000 B.C. The court concluded that when he referred to a person being “Irish”, the testator intended to refer to either a person who had emigrated from Ireland, or to a person who was a descendent of a person who had emigrated from Ireland. By making reference to "sons of Irish fathers", the court concluded that the testator had visualized the Irish blending into the larger community in PEI, and thus, felt that having 50% Irish blood was reasonable and sufficient.

The case is an interesting read, as it not only reviews Irish history, but it sets out in some detail the life of the testator in the mid-1800s, including a detailed report of his death in December, 1887.

Thanks for reading,

Paul Trudelle

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The Ontario Supreme Court of Justice recently ruled on the issue of whether a solicitor can assert a solicitor’s lien over an original will.

In Szabo Estate v. Adelson (2007), CanLII 4588, the solicitor acted as estate solicitor, having been retained by the estate trustee named in the will. He rendered an account for legal services in the amount of $3,230.79. This account was not paid, and the solicitor asserted a solicitor’s lien over the documents in his file, including the original will.

Interestingly, the solicitor offered to release the will if the estate trustee agreed to a charge against the estate. The estate trustee would not agree.

The estate trustee brought an Application under s. 9 of the Estates Act for the production of the original will. In considering the Application, the court noted the basic proposition that where a client discharges a solicitor without cause, the solicitor may exercise a lien for his or her fees over the documents in the solicitor’s possession, and may retain them until paid. 

The estate trustee relied upon an article and an excerpt from a text that stated that a solicitor’s lien did not extend to a will. The court found that the article did not cite any authority for that proposition, and that the case referred to in the text, an 1823 decision, did not support the proposition, either. 

This illustrates that one should not blindly rely on articles and texts as setting out black letter law (unless, of course, one is relying on Hull and Hull, Probate Practice).

The court concluded that a solicitor can exercise a lien over a will, just as he or she could over any other important document.

However, the court can and will intervene in order to prevent an injustice to a client resulting from the exercise of the lien. In the case under consideration, the court ordered the solicitor to deliver up the will IF AND WHEN the estate trustee agreed to a charge against the estate in the amount of the solicitor’s account.

Thanks for reading,

Paul Trudelle

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Leona Helmsley’s estate continues to raise eyebrows, and serves as an illustration of what not to do when estate planning.

Following her death, it was revealed that she set up a $12m US trust to care for her dog, Trouble.

Last week, it was reported that the named trustee of the trust, her 80 year old brother (who received over $15m US himself from the estate) does not want to care for Trouble. It is yet to be seen whether the alternate trustee, Leona’s grandson, will take on the responsibility.

In addition, Leona’s will directed that Trouble, following his death, be buried with her at the family mausoleum. However, state laws forbid animal remains from being interred at human graveyards.

To make matters worse, it appears that Trouble bit a housekeeper, and the housekeeper now wants a piece of Trouble’s money.

The present circumstances illustrate the need for open discussion of estate plans. Trustees should be consulted in order to ensure that they actually will agree to take on the role of trustee; special requests should be explored to ensure that they are feasible.

Thank you for reading,

Paul Trudelle

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Unfortunately, the following quote applies to many of the cases that we deal with on a daily basis:

“To say that brother and sister do not get along in this case is an understatement. There is plenty of mistrust, suspicion and bitterness to go around. The applicant blames her brother for high-handed and unilateral conduct. He claims he has acted improperly. On the other hand, [brother] blames his sister for being non-communicative and hard to get along with. He was compelled to take the steps that he did because his sister which not deal with him.”

The quote is from Hill v. McLoughlin, 2007 CanLII 1334 (Ont. S.C.). There, brother and sister were co-estate trustees and residual beneficiaries of their mother’s estate. As a result of the above-noted mistrust, sister brought an application to have brother removed as an estate trustee.

The court found that while there was friction and hostility between brother and sister which hindered the administration of the estate, it was not satisfied that brother committed a breach of trust as alleged, or was in a conflict of interest.

The court stated that where the deceased has expressly appointed trustees, a court should be loath to interfere with the testator’s expressed intention except on the clearest of evidence that there was no other course to follow. The expressed wishes of the testator should be respected and not interfered with lightly. It is only where a court determines that the welfare of the beneficiaries requires removal and replacement of trustees that the court should undertake such action. It is not any mistake or neglect of duty on the part of the trustees which would lead to their removal. It must be shown that the non-removal of the trustee will likely prevent the trust from being properly executed.

While the court did not order removal of the brother, it did not condone his actions. The court required that the brother undertake certain steps, such as provide specific information to the sister.

On the issue of costs, judge ordered that each party should bear their own costs.

It is often hard for siblings or others to get along and cooperate in the administration of an estate. Further, actions taken by trustees, out of spite or otherwise, can serve to exacerbate the mistrust that already exists. Knowing that the courts will not automatically step in and remove an estate trustee in the circumstances should encourage the parties to an estate to act reasonably and simply get the job done.

Thank you.

Paul Trudelle

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The world wide web offers a wealth of information: some useful; some not so. Recently, I came across www.stealanestate.com. The website puffs “Get Rich! On Other People’s Money”, “Displace Rightful Heirs Legally!” and “Never Have to Work Again!”

The web page offers a three step program:

Step One: Assess Opportunities & Establish Yourself
Step Two: Discredit and Displace the Heirs
Step Three: Savour Your Triumph

Tips incude:

• Identify elderly affluent people who are alone;
• Use alcohol;
• Create reasons to see them often;
• Always take their side and fault anyone who disagrees with them;
• Get into a position of trust and authority;
• Act like the perfect son or daughter;
• Keep the rightful heirs ignorant of your relationship;
• Sever all communications between the victim and their heirs;
• Create conflict – lie to the victim about the heirs and their dishonesty and misdeeds.

The site contains many more “tips”.

At first blush, the site is shocking and disturbing. However, deeper into the site there is an explanation. The site claims be operated by individuals “currently in litigation fighting years of undue influence for our mother’s estate”. The tactics and tips set out in the site were apparently used against them. The page is “meant to shock you into action and attention.”

The site should be read as a cautionary tale: a shopping list of things to look out for: both for ourselves and for our loved ones, rather than as a “how-to” list on elder abuse.

Thank you.

Paul Trudelle

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In Thursday’s Globe and Mail, Margaret Wente wrote about “Geezers in Paradise”, and observed that tomorrow’s seniors will be able to enjoy “the most delightful old age of any generation the world has ever known”. Seniors are the fastest growing group in Canada, and by 2017, seniors will outnumber those under 15.

Ms. Wente sees a future where “mature lifestyle residences” replace schools, nannies are imported to care for your mom rather than for your kids, and the most popular diapers will be size XXL. Industries will sprout up to service this aging population, medicines will improve, and the political clout of this older group will ensure their comfort and entitlements.

This optimistic future is contrasted by reports earlier last week that one in three Canadians worry about outliving their savings (Toronto Star, July 16, 2007). The report found that many older Canadians did not foresee such a rosy retirement. 33% of respondents over 60 worked either part-time or full-time, and 19% indicated that their financial situation was worse or much worse than 5 years ago.

The vision of the baby boomer generation, on the cusp of becoming senior citizens, being the most affluent group ever is not universal. “There’s going to be a group of baby boomers for whom all of this image of affluence and consumption isn’t reality,” said professor Doug Owram of the University of British Columbia.

Rich or poor, the articles both highlight the importance of planning for our later years.

Thank you.

Paul Trudelle

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Mr. Bernard Bayer has won the right to receive a salary from his former employer until March 1, 2012. Unfortunately, Bernard died on April 23, 2005.

In this most unusual case, Bernard's estate will be entitled to receive payment equal to Bernard’s salary until 2012, notwithstanding Bernard's death.

The case turns on the peculiar wording of Bernard's employment agreement with his employer, the Blue Button Club. Pursuant to this agreement, which was entered into on March 1, 2002, Bernard was employed as the Executive Manager of the Club. The agreement had a 10 year term. The agreement described Bernard's duties at the Club. It provided that he was to be paid at least $60,000 per year.

An unusual provision of the employment agreement provided that the Club was to maintain insurance on the life of Bernard, naming the Club as beneficiary, so that the Club could comply with the termination provisions of the agreement. The termination provisions provided that the employment agreement could be terminated in the event that Bernard failed repeatedly and demonstrably to perform his duties, and failed to remedy this problem after receiving reasonable notice; for just cause; or upon his death, in which case, the Club was to collect the insurance proceeds and pay these to Bernard's estate.  Apparently, the Club did not take out such a policy of insurance.

In resisting the claim by Bernard’s estate, the Club argued that, prior to his death, Bernard failed to fill his duties. The court rejected this submission, holding that the Club did not provide the required written warning to Bernard.

The Club also submitted that the agreement was not enforceable, and that neither of the parties expected the agreement to be enforceable. The court easily rejected this submission.

As the agreement clearly contemplated Bernard’s death, it was not frustrated by his death.

The court found that Bernard's estate was entitled to the payments due until the end of the agreement. These damages totalled $410,000.

In this case, the employment agreement was drafted by or on behalf of the Club. The court held the Club to its agreement, notwithstanding its unusual provisions, or the fact that it produced, at least at first blush, an unusual result.

Thank you,
Paul Trudelle

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From 1993 to 1996, Daniel Assh, a Pensions Advocate with the Bureau of Pensions Advocates, Veterans Affairs Canada assisted Maria Orn, a veteran and the widow of a veteran in obtaining her pension benefits.

In 2001, Maria prepared her will. In it, she left specific legacies totalling more than $100,000, and divided the residue of her estate amongst various named persons and a charity. Three weeks later, she died.

One of the specific legacies was a $5,000 bequest to Daniel.

Daniel told his superiors about the bequest, and that he intended to accept it as it could not give rise to a conflict of interest. They told him to "hold off" on accepting the bequest until the matter was cleared through the “appropriate department channels”.
Daniel argued that because he did not know of the bequest in advance, and because there could not be the expectation of further services, and no possibility that Daniel could provide special assistance to Maria or her family, there was no conflict. Daniel submitted that he had stopped providing services to Maria long before her death. It was agreed that Daniel had in no way attempted to influence Maria into making the gift.

Did he get to keep the bequest?

No. Veterans Affairs determined that accepting the gift would be in contravention of the federal Conflict of Interest Code.

Daniel grieved the decision through two levels of the internal grievance process, and then applied for judicial review when the decision was upheld at both levels. Judicial review was allowed, and Daniel was allowed to keep the bequest. However, the decision was appealed to the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA”).

The FCA held that the bequest could give rise to a perception of conflict. The question was whether a reasonable person would think that there was a realistic possibility that acceptance of the legacy could influence the employee’s future performance of official duties. The FCA noted that a pensions advocate is in a position of confidence and influence. The clientele are usually elderly and vulnerable, and often in difficult circumstances, such as the death of a spouse.
The FCA stated that while Daniel could not accept the gift, “the acknowledgment of her gratitude to him for assisting her is effectively communicated to him, and to others.”

Thank you for reading.
Paul Trudelle

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Persons found to be incapable to manage their property may, nonetheless, be capable to marry (for an in depth discussion of this issue see the 1998 decision of Justice Cullity in Banton v. Banton).

This reality gives rise to all kinds of potential legal dilemmas and truly represents the flashpoint between capacity litigation and family law litigation. If a person incapable of managing their property enters into a marriage, there is a near-certain likelihood that friction will develop between the new spouse and the incapable person’s substitute decision maker.

In large part, the making of financial decisions together is one of the defining characteristics of a marriage. In the situation of a marriage between a capable person and an incapable person with a guardian of property, the substitute decision maker inevitably has a role to play. And what if the new spouse brings a child into the marriage?

Clearly, the family law regime imposes support obligations upon spouses in the event of separation. But how is this obligation reconciled with the obligation of the substitute decision maker to act in the financial best interests of the incapable person?

From the perspective of the legal practitioner, expertise in both family and capacity law is required to seek a creative resolution of any disputes that can develop

Have a great day,

David