Services for Dependant Adults

Adults who qualify for service by the Public Trustee are suffering from a short term disability, or from some chronic condition that prevents them making personal and financial decisions on their own behalf.  They have no one else able or willing to act for them. Expense and Debt Management Personal Case Management Investment Management Tax Management

The Public Trustee works on behalf of these vulnerable individuals to ensure decisions made about their living arrangements, health care and financial situation serve their best interests.  The Public Trustee consults with the client, and with experts, family and friends to obtain as much relevant information as possible before making a decision.  This helps ensure decisions are made as per the individual’s wishes and personal beliefs wherever possible.

Expense and Debt Management:

To the extent of a client’s ability to pay, the client’s financial obligations are met by the Public Trustee from the client’s own financial resources.  For clients living in the community, this means paying rent or mortgage, utilities, taxes, and groceries.  The Public Trustee will establish debt management activities if necessary and take the appropriate action to ensure repayments of debt using a client’s assets so creditors are satisfied with the arrangements made.

The Public Trustee works hard to ensure that current needs are balanced against long term requirements.

The Public Trustee is obliged to consider what is in the individual’s best interest when making personal decisions.  The Public Trustee may need to decide where and with whom a client will live or provide informed consent to medical treatments.  Each client’s case is managed individually and decisions are made based on the client’s best interest. 

The Public Trustee works with government and community based organizations to ensure vulnerable adults receive appropriate levels of support and that they have opportunities to follow their interests and to achieve their full potential.

The Department of Finance acts as an investment partner for the Public Trustee to provide clients with investment portfolios that serve their needs.

Tax Management:

Tax returns will be filed on behalf of each client annually by staff in the Public Trustee’s office.  All credits will be placed in clients’ accounts.  If a new client has not filed tax returns in previous years, the Public Trustee is responsible to ensure all past returns are filed and that any penalties are paid from the client’s estate.