The Public Trustee offers a range of services designed to ensure the financial and personal well-being of clients. Clients come from across the community, and are individuals with diminished mental and physical capabilities, who are among the most vulnerable people in the province.

Provides Legal Representation Manages Financial Affairs Manages Real Estate and Assets Manages Investments

Manages Insurance Needs Locates Heirs Provides Inspections, Inventory and   Safekeeping Provides Guardianship

Provides Legal Representation:

The Public Trustee acts as the executor of a will, as an enduring power of attorney, as the committee of the estate for a missing person (Presumption of Death Act), as committee of the estate and/or committee of the person, as the litigation guardian, or as a litigation administrator for the estate of a deceased individual.

The core responsibilities of the Public Trustee include handling money and financial assets, paying bills, issuing funds for clients’ purchases after reviewing the necessity for items requested. The Public Trustee also completes income and estate tax documentation and manages funds and property transactions on behalf of clients. 

Manages Real Estate and Assets:

The Public Trustee inspects all property belonging to new clients to determine the state of the property and to decide if the client can afford to repair any damages, or if the real estate is suitable for habitation.  The Public Trustee has to decide if it’s in a client’s best interest that a house be put for sale. The decision to sell a property leads to another set of actions and activities for the Public Trustee, including, but not limited to, having the house appraised, having the house inspected on a regular basis for insurance purposes, and then preparing the legal documentation for the sale of the house. The Public Trustee secures the house and its content, and stores the valuable items in a suitable environment.

Manages Investments:

The Public Trustee works in partnership with the Department of Finance to secure the efficient and cost effective investment management services for its clients.

Manages Insurance Needs: 

The Public Trustee manages insurance service for its clients to provide adequate coverage for vacant real estate and other assets. The insurance coverage provided to the Public Trustee ensures all clients have immediate coverage, including coverage to vacant property. 

When acting as administrator of an estate, the Public Trustee’s office has to make all reasonable efforts to locate heirs, so the estate can be distributed in an appropriate manner. 

The office of the Public Trustee makes a complete inventory of all assets and ensures secure storage of all valuable items in a timely manner.  The Public Trustee may become responsible for the storage or sale of a wide range of items, potentially including houses and land, jewelry, computers, automobiles and business interests. 

When the Public Trustee acts as personal guardian it may be necessary to make healthcare decisions of a highly personal nature on behalf of clients and to make decisions regarding appropriate living arrangements.  It may also become necessary to make funeral arrangements for clients who have no known family.