Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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Making Decisions for Someone Else

People’s Law School
Practical information on what to consider when making decisions for someone else. Learn about the steps you can take to protect the adult from scams, financial exploitation and abuse, information about the duties you must follow as an attorney, and tools designed to help you in your role.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the brochure cover with a photo of an older Indigenous man holding a bowl with a smoking bundle of herbs.

Aboriginal Health Advance Care Planning: Respecting Aboriginal Ceremonies and Rites

Government of British Columbia
This brochure tells you about advance care planning from the Aboriginal perspective, why it is important, and what to do with it.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

A Planning Primer

People’s Law School
Essential information you should know when preparing for your future. Learn your options for planning for your future financial, legal, health care, and personal care needs.
Last reviewed March 2024
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If You Need Help Now

People’s Law School
Practical information on how standard representation agreements can be used and how to prepare one. Learn about your rights and options for changing or ending one, and eight important reasons why someone may want to prepare one.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Introduction to Adult Guardianship in BC

Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia
Explains adult guardianship laws make sure financial, legal, personal, and health care decisions can be made by, with, or for adults when needed. This includes if or when adults become mentally incapable.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Health Care Consent in BC: Your Rights and the Law

Nidus Registry
This fact sheet is about your rights as an adult (age 19 or older) to give or refuse consent to health care. How is health care defined? What is required for informed consent? How is incapability to consent determined? When is consent not required? Who qualifies as a health care provider?
Last reviewed March 2024
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Health & Personal Care

People’s Law School
Practical information on what you can do to ensure your wishes around health care and personal care are respected. Learn about the two types of representation agreements, how to prepare an enhanced agreement, and how an advance directive can be used.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with "Plan Institute" and three overlapping green circles to the right, and the words “for caring citizenship” below.

Future Planning Tool (for people with disabilities)

Plan Institute
The Future Planning Tool is intended to promote long-term well-being for Canadians with disabilities by helping them and their families to accomplish their future planning goals, including financial planning, housing, relationships, and more.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Financial & Legal Matters

People’s Law School
Practical information on tools you can put in place now in case you can’t manage your financial and legal affairs in future. Learn about the different types of powers of attorney, how to prepare your enduring power of attorney, and your rights and options for changing or ending a power of attorney.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Estate Planning for Disabled Beneficiaries in British Columbia

Heritage Trust
Estate planning can secure the financial well-being of your disabled child or grandchild. This comprehensive guide on financial planning for disabled people in BC covers the definitions of disability, tax benefits, government assistance, estate-planning options like trusts and RDSPs, decision-making support, and available resources.
Last reviewed March 2024