Who can apply to be a deputy?
- You must be 18 or over to apply for a deputyship.
- Usually deputies are close relatives or friends of the person who needs help making decisions.
- You must have the skills to make financial decisions for someone else if you are applying to be a property & financial affairs deputy.
Can the court appoint more than one deputy?
Yes, the court can appoint more than one deputy. If more than one person is applying to be a deputy then you would need to tell the Court how you will make decisions. The options of how two or more deputies make decisions are either:
- Jointly- all deputies have to agree on the decisions being made
- Jointly and severally- deputies can made decisions together or on their own without the other deputy(s).
What is a deputy’s responsibility?
A deputy is responsible for helping someone make their own decisions or making a decision on their behalf. If a deputy is making a decision on the person’s behalf they must:
- Make sure the decision is in the other person’s best interest
- Do everything possible to hep the other person understand the situation and the decision.
- Consider decisions made in the past
- Get advice from professionals (for example doctors) and the other person’s relatives
- Keep your own property and money separate from the other person’s property and money
- Keep a record of decisions and finances in an annual report
What should a deputy not do:
A deputy should not:
- Take advantage of the other person
- Profit from a decision they have taken on the other person’s behalf
- Stop life-sustaining treatment
- Make or amend a will for the other person
- Make gifts for the other person unless allowed to by a Court order
- Hold property or money in your name on the other person’s behalf