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:

1. Jointly- all deputies have to agree on the decisions being made
2. 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:

1. Make sure the decision is in the other person’s best interest
2. Do everything possible to hep the other person understand the situation and the decision.
3. Consider decisions made in the past
4. Get advice from professionals (for example doctors) and the other person’s relatives
5. Keep your own property and money separate from the other person’s property and money
6. Keep a record of decisions and finances in an annual report

What should a deputy not do:

A deputy should not:

1. Take advantage of the other person
2. Profit from a decision they have taken on the other person’s behalf
3. Stop life-sustaining treatment
4. Make or amend a will for the other person
5. Make gifts for the other person unless allowed to by a Court order
6. Hold property or money in your name on the other person’s behalf