Reasons for Becoming a Committee

Earlier this month, reasons were released in the case of Re James. A (second) husband appealed the appointment of one of his wife’s daughters as Committee over her financial affairs and health care.

The patient, an alcoholic, married in 2005. Her six children did not support the marriage. She and her husband said that they would quit drinking (which they did). Strangely, she had been estranged from her daughter, the Committee.

Allowing the Appeal, the Court found that it would be in the best interests of the patient to appoint her husband instead of her daughter.

The Court suggested, in its judgement, that the daughter seemed to seek Committeeship to create an Estate for the children to inherit, where they were unlikely to inherit before (as they were estranged).

Committeeship brings with it significant responsibilities to act in the best interests of the patient. Children and spouses are natural choices, but they need to be prepared for the commitment of time and duty.

This ad will appear in the Richmond News on January 17, 2013.