The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee is a Government of Alberta organization that provides services to help people plan for the future and make the most of today if decision-making support is needed. It's part of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General.
The Office also assists with burial and estate administration when no one can settle the affairs of an individual who has died. The organization works primarily with adults but does manage funds for minors in some situations.
What the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee Assists With
If someone needs help making personal and/or financial decisions, the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee will help determine who should help them and how much assistance they require. You and your lawyer fill out an application for a court order, which is submitted to the Office. The Office will then have a Review Officer contact the adult you want to represent (the “represented adult”) to discuss what he or she thinks about the application and prepare a report for the court.
The Review Officer will also conduct a criminal background check on the applicant and check the applicant's references. This protects the adult and gives family members peace of mind.
If you have complaints about a guardian, trustee, or co-decision-maker, you can register them with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee by filing a written complaint. The Office can open an investigation if it fits the criteria set out by the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act and the Personal Directives Act.
To fit the criteria, there has to be a reason to believe that the person is not following the court order or not complying with their duties. It is likely to harm the adult physically, mentally, or financially.