1. Are there any other expenses clients have to pay?
There are a number of other expenses that clients may have to pay. For example, a client may have to pay for certain expenses incurred such as having personal belongings secured or moved, accounting fees related to preparing income tax returns, storage charges, photocopying expenses, postage expenses and other out of pocket expenses. All of these expenses are recovered from the client’s trust account.
2. Is the PGT required to charge fees?
Yes. Fees and commissions charged by the PGT are established by the BC government under the
Public Guardian and Trustee Act and are set out in the
Public Guardian and Trustee Fees Regulation. Under this regulation, the PGT is required to charge various fees and commissions for services including managing assets and income, monitoring and reviewing accounts, administering estates, acting as trustee and many more services.
Fees compensate the PGT for assuming the risk of all decisions made on behalf of the client, estate or trust and for services provided. Examples include working with family, friends and other parties to understand the immediate and future financial needs of the client/estate and making investment and expenditure decisions based on the client’s needs.
3. Do public funds pay for any of the services provided by the PGT?
Yes. Some services are funded in whole or part by the government. Generally, the expectation is that the cost of providing services related to the management of individual client assets will be charged to the client while services funded by the province are those of a public nature such as monitoring or oversight.
For example, when the PGT is the Property Guardian for a child in continuing care, the related services are primarily funded through public funds. Where the PGT is Administrator for an estate, the expectation is that the fees/commissions charged to the estate will cover the costs of providing the services.
4. Why do I have to pay fees?
The PGT is obliged to charge fees by law. Private sector equivalents also charge fees, as do Public Guardians and Trustees in other jurisdictions.
5. Does the PGT generate a profit?
The PGT does not provide services for a profit. Fees and commissions that are collected are used to pay for the services that the PGT provides.
6. How does the PGT decide how much to charge in fees and commissions?
Fees and commissions are set out in the Public Guardian and Trustee Fees Regulation
and any changes to the regulation are made by the provincial government. Fee amounts are established based on the principles of transparency, cost recovery, fee types, costing and are subject to regular review.
7. How and when do I have to pay PGT fees?
For all other fees, the fee must be included with your request for service and your cheque or bank draft made payable to the “Public Guardian and Trustee”. At this time, no other forms of payment are accepted and all fees are subject to the Goods and Services Tax (5%). Please review the PGT Fee Guide or detailed fee chart for more information.
All payments can be mailed or couriered to 700-808 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3.
8. The PGT is currently managing the financial and legal affairs of my family member? Can I replace the PGT in this role?
Yes, you can apply to the Supreme Court of BC to replace the PGT. Please contact your family member’s primary staff representative for details on how to make the application and what fees may apply.
