Personal Directive Law in Vancouver

Personal Directive Lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia

Although British Columbia does not recognize “living wills” or “advanced medical directives”, the province has similar documents called “personal directives”.

A personal directive is a crucial component of most people’s estate plans, allowing you to outline your wishes regarding personal affairs and healthcare in the event that you lose the capacity to communicate your preferences or make decisions later in life.

This helps prevent confusion and disputes among family members during challenging times.

The estate planning specialists at Vest Estate Lawyers can assist you in preparing a personal directive that accurately reflects your wishes and can be implemented if needed in the future.

What is a personal directive in British Columbia?

No one enjoys contemplating the possibility of serious injury or illness, but unfortunately, the risk increases with age.

If you drive a car, the danger is always present.

Imagine being unable to make decisions or communicate your desires to loved ones.

A personal directive is a legal document that addresses this possibility. It allows you to appoint a trusted individual as your legal representative (“agent”) with the authority to make personal decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so – either temporarily or permanently.

A personal directive should be shared with the relevant authorities, such as healthcare providers and family members, who need to understand the decisions it contains.

While it may never be used, it can provide peace of mind knowing that someone has decision-making powers without having to apply to the courts.

What should I include in my personal directive?

A personal directive can specify exact wishes that you want to be followed or provide general guidelines, entrusting the decision-making responsibility to your agent.

At a minimum, you should outline some instructions to guide your agent if you are unable to communicate your wishes to the relevant people.

Decisions may involve many fundamental aspects of your life, such as:

• Medical treatment preferences
• Where and with whom you would like to live
• Who will care for dependent children
• Recreational, employment, and educational preferences
• Any other personal matters or legal decisions that need to be made

Note that the power to make financial decisions is not authorized by a personal directive. For that, you will require a power of attorney agreement.

Why have a personal directive in British Columbia?

Creating a personal directive is a voluntary choice. There is no legal requirement to have such a document.

However, there are numerous benefits to setting up a personal directive:

• You remain in control of your choices and living preferences in later life
• A trusted person of your choosing helps look after your personal affairs if you are unable to do so
• Your wishes are clearly stated and in writing to avoid confusion and stress for family members
• You have the peace of mind of knowing that delays will be avoided and decisions will be made according to your wishes if you are incapacitated.

Write your personal directive in Vancouver

A personal directive should be custom-drafted to incorporate your precise wishes.

The experts at Vest Estate Lawyers can help you with the first important steps in creating a comprehensive estate plan that includes a personal directive.

Start with a one-on-one consultation, during which we will listen to your goals and advise you of your options.