Help with personal decisions
Co-decision-maker authority allows you to assist an adult who needs help with making personal decisions on their own. The co-decision-maker and adult work through decisions together – and the adult makes the final decision.
Who needs a co-decision-maker
Adults who need a co-decision-maker
- are 18 years of age or older
- have had a capacity assessment completed that indicates they need a co-decision-maker
- need help understanding information
- need guidance and support to make personal decisions
- less intrusive and less restrictive options are not likely to be effective
- do not have an enacted personal directive or a court-appointed guardian
- do not have a court-appointed trustee
The adult decides:
- if they want a co-decision-maker
- who the co-decision-maker is
- if they want an additional co-decision-maker – and who that is
- when to stop having a co-decision-maker
Minors who will need a co-decision-maker
- will be 18 years old in the next year
- will need guidance and support to make personal decisions after they become an adult
If you want the court order to go into effect when the minor turns 18, you must apply as soon as possible after the minor turns 17.
Just because someone disagrees with an adult’s decisions does not mean they do not have the ability to make their own decisions. If they fully understand the impact of a decision, they are probably capable of making it.
Types of decisions
Co-decision-makers can help with personal, non-financial decisions about:
- healthcare
- where to live
- who to associate with
- participation in educational, vocational and other training
- participation in social activities
- employment
- legal proceedings
Depending on the adult’s needs, a co-decision-maker might only be needed for some decisions. The court decides:
- what types of decisions the co-decision-maker can help with
- if a co-decision-making review will be needed
Is co-decision-making needed
You may want to look into other options for personal decision-making, such as:
How long will it take
A co-decision-maker application usually takes 6 months – from the time your paperwork is ready to be submitted to court – before the court makes a decision.
Cost
There are costs for different parts of this process:
- legal fees – if you use a lawyer to complete the application
- capacity assessment – charged by the capacity assessor for the completion of the assessment
- court filing fees – up to $250 for the court to process your documentation
- background check fee – for the background check to be completed so the results can be provided to the court with your application
If the costs of an AGTA court application are a hardship for the applicant and adult, the applicant can apply to have some of the costs covered by the Government of Alberta.
- If financial hardship has been indicated on the AGTA application, a Hardship Application for Costs Against the Crown form will be sent to the applicant to fill out.
- Complete the Hardship Application for Costs Against the Crown form and submit it with supporting documentation.
Requirements to be a co-decision-maker
The adult selects someone they trust to be their co-decision-maker. The co-decision-maker must:
- be 18 years of age or older
- consent to being a co-decision-maker
- consider the views and wishes of the adult
- have a relationship with the adult
- be available to help make decisions – and provide consent
- work co-operatively with the adult
- not have a conflict with the adult
- complete a criminal record check and reference checks – following the OPGT’s process
The OPGT can't be a co-decision-maker.
Your responsibilities as a co-decision-maker
As a co-decision-maker, you share authority with the adult. This means you also have a responsibility to:
- act in the adult’s best interests
- be diligent and act in good faith
- assist the adult to access, collect or obtain information to make decisions
- discuss relevant information with the adult
- sign consent forms together
You cannot:
- refuse to sign anything – unless it might harm the adult
- make financial decisions
A co-decision-maker has a responsibility to:
- only access information that has been authorized and is needed for a decision
- keep personal information about the adult safe from unauthorized access, use or disclosure
Apply to be an adult’s co-decision-maker
To be an adult’s co-decision-maker – and to ensure you follow the correct process and complete the correct paperwork – you need to consider which way to apply:
- without a hearing (desk application)
- with a hearing
| Without a Hearing (Desk Application) | With a Hearing |
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To start the application process
Select the one option below that best meets the adult’s situation:
When a court order is granted
The newly-appointed co-decision-maker is legally responsible to provide a copy of the court order to to:
- the adult
- other interested parties
- the OPGT
Read the court order carefully to learn:
- who has been appointed
- what authority has been granted
- when the order needs to be reviewed
- any other provisions
How co-decision-making authority ends
By the adult
The adult can stop having a co-decision-maker at any time by following these steps:
Step 1. Fill out the form
Form 13: Withdraw of Consent of Assisted Person
Step 2. Submit the form
You or your lawyer file the form with the clerk of the Court of King’s Bench.
By the co-decision-maker
The co-decision-maker can also end their support if they are no longer able to act as the co-decision-maker by completing a co-decision-making review.
Adult loses capacity to make decisions
If the adult is no longer capable of making decisions, then an application should be made to appoint a guardian.
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