This viral pandemic has left many of us at home and concerned for the uncertainty of the immediate future. The suddenness of events unfolding has created some anxiety around the question ‘what will happen if I get sick’.
Thankfully, we have our wonderful Royal Inland Hospital staff working to make sure the answer to that question is that you will be cared for and you will get well again.
Paperwork
To add some comfort to the uncertain times, it is reassuring to have all of the legal paperwork in place for such an event as a sudden illness to be sure your life will continue to run smoothly while you are being cared for.
There are two documents that are useful in such a circumstance: Power of Attorney and Representation Agreement.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney appoints someone to deal with the legal and financial aspects of your life for you if you should become incapacitated and cannot act on your own behalf. The person you appoint can step into your shoes and complete the real estate transaction you had pending, can pay your bills, or act as a litigation guardian for an ongoing legal matter.
Representation Agreement
A Representation Agreement appoints someone to deal with your health, wellbeing, and comfort if you require assistance or cannot speak for yourself due to illness. Your representative can act as a substitute decision-maker, or just merely to assist you, in making decisions for medical treatment or care.
How to Get Started
If you do not currently have these documents in place, most Lawyers are speaking with clients by video or over the telephone to give advice and take instructions, with a follow-up meeting to sign the documents using a social distancing protocol depending on individual circumstances.
Planning ahead is one way we can all find comfort in this unique time we find ourselves in. Also, many of us have Estate planning on our ‘to-do’ list and are now using the extra time we have while in isolation to finally get that accomplished and off the list!
If you have questions and would like a consultation, or for more information, please contact Priddle Law Group at (250) 434-8911 or email reception@priddlelaw.ca to make an appointment.
