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What to do
Guardianship and continuing power of attorney
Checklist
What would be the best way to manage the finances of a close person?
Powers of attorney, Suomi.fi e-Authorizations and bank account user rights are some of the options available if you have to manage financial matters on behalf of a close person.
If these options are not enough, a guardian may be needed.
Could you serve as the guardian of a person close to you?
A private person can be appointed as the guardian, or the task may be carried out by a public guardian who is not a friend or a family member of the client. Could you serve as the guardian of a person close to you?
Any person that meets the legal requirements and agrees to perform the task can serve as the guardian of a close person. The suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
If a guardian is needed
Submit a notification of a close person in need of guardianship to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. You should state in the notification whether you would like to have a private or public guardian.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will contact the person in question and determine whether a guardian is needed.
You can seek peer support for taking care of a person close to you
Ensuring the wellbeing of a close person can be a major concern. Peer support is provided by a range of different associations.
Prepare an inventory of the assets and debts of the person close to you
If you are the guardian of a close person, you must prepare an inventory of their assets and debts. You must send the inventory to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency within three months of the guardianship start date.
Keep a record on the use of the assets
As the guardian, you must keep a record of how the assets of your client are used and prepare an annual statement on this basis. You must prepare the annual statement each year and return it within three months of the end of the accounting period.
You must prepare the final statement after the end of your guardianship assignment
When the guardianship ends you must still prepare the final statement. Prepare the final statement for the period that is not covered by the last annual statement.
Guardianship will end if
- the client’s condition improves and no longer needs a guardian
- the guardian has been appointed for a fixed period. In such cases, the guardianship ends automatically at the end of this period
- the guardian no longer wants to serve as the guardian
- the client or the guardian dies.