Hielp’s at hand

HELP’S AT Hand, a_ weekly feature by the North Shore Infor- mation and Volunteer Centre, an- swers questions about and discusses such topics as govern- ment policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public ser- vices.

Answers published in this col- umn are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation.

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Question: I am an 81-year-old widow living on my own on the North Shore. I have no living children but I have always been close to my two nephews. They have always been kind to me, and I have recognized them in my will.

I have recently been thinking that I should give one or both of them my Power of Attorney in case anything should happen to me.

Can you give a Power of At- torney to two people at the same time? If F became incompetent would anyone in authority check up on what someone with Power of Attorney does, to make sure that everything would be in my best interests?

Would they be able to put me into a “‘home”’ if I didn’t want to go?

Answer: Yes, you can give a Power of Attorney to two people. They can act jointly or alone on your behalf.

However, empowering someone

With a

to manage your affairs can be a risky business. Empowering two “*somebodies’’ could very possibly lead to confusion and mismanagement.

It would be a very good idea for you to sit down with someone knowledgeable in this area of the law to discuss what it is you hope to accomplish by appointing an agent to act on your behalf. There may be other methods that would work as well or better.

To answer your second question, there must be an ‘enduring clause”’ in your Power of Attorney form for it to remain in effect if you become incompetent.

And, no, there is no provision for someone in authority to check up on, or monitor, what your at- torney does regarding your affairs.

However, the Office of the Public Trustee will investigate if they have treason to believe that someone is misusing his authority.

If you want the people ap- pointed to act as your agents to report on their activities, you should think of nominating them as your ‘‘commitiee’’ under a law called the Patients Property Act.

Does this seem all terribly com- plicated to you? It is to us, too, and you've raised some very good questions that are very difficult to answer in one column.

You might try ‘“‘DIAL-A- LAW,” 687-4680, where you can hear a recording of information on many areas of the law. The tape you need is called *‘Power of At- torney.”*

Professional Level Lynn Valiey Centre (N.Van.) 985-8000

Reliable Legal Services.

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21 - Sundays, January 28, 1990 - North Shore News

THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER

PUBLIC NOTICE AMBLESIDE REVITALIZATION & UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES

The FINAL PHASE of revitalization has begun! Work in the en- tire project area bounded by 12th and 19th Streets Bellevue and Clyde Avenues (involving both undergrounding ana revitalization) is scheduled to be completed by October 1990.

Road and fane closures will be required in the area from time to time, and parking will be affected. As with previous work in the Village, every effort will be made to minimize disruptions. The Public’s continued patience and co-operation, so evident with previous work in the area, is once again requested and will be very much appreciated throughout the fast stage of this work.

Work is scheduled as follows:

¢ Underground ductwork: January - Apri!

e Roads, sidewalks, landscaping: April - September

* Installation of underground cables: May - September « Removal of overhead wires and poles: September

¢ Final cleanup in October

Please continue to support your merchants in Ambleside AS ALL BUSINESSES WILL BE OPEN during this construction period.

Enquiries — 922-1211 Revitalization Project Manager (Loca! 239), or Planner, Zoning & Development (Local 206).

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