My Wishes Alberta:

Planning for My Care

Amanda Shaw Chief Information Officer, ARTA

But doing so while you are healthy and of sound mind is one of the most considerate things you can do for those you love. Too often, families are torn apart by fighting over things that could have been decided ahead of time. Proper death planning allows your loved ones to focus on grieving, rather than dealing with the burden and stress of settling your estate.

First, Prepare a Will

If you die without a will in Alberta, your estate will be distributed in accordance with the Wills and Succession Act( open. alberta. ca / publications / w12p2) following a strict formula, rather than based on your wishes. Your will should name an executor who will ensure the will is followed to distribute your assets. You will also need an Enduring Power of Attorney( EPA)— someone to manage your finances if you are unable to do so— and a Personal Directive( PD)— appointing a person to make your personal and health-care decisions if you lose capacity.

While preparing your PD, also discuss( and document) your preferences around life support, resuscitation, comfort care, or Medical Assistance in Dying( MAiD). When I wrote my PD, my lawyer suggested that I choose someone in a similar life

position with similar values, as they would be most able to make decisions aligned with my wishes.

To help, the Government of Alberta has a personal directive form( alberta. ca / personal-directive) and Covenant Health Palliative Institute has a My Wishes Alberta workbook( bit. ly / 3NPHM64) available in multiple languages.

Many lawyers offer a package price to prepare a will, EPA, and a PD— for both singles or couples. Thinking of moving? While a will signed in one province is valid in other provinces, the same doesn’ t necessarily apply for the EPA and PD, so consult a lawyer if your move will take you across provincial borders.

Power of Attorney? Personal Directive?

42 | arta. net STAY HEALTHY