Choosing the Right Agent for Your Personal Directive in Alberta
Naming an agent in your Personal Directive is one of the most important choices you’ll make when planning for your future care. This person may one day speak on your behalf when you’re unable to make decisions about your health or personal well-being.
At Mobile Wills Calgary, we guide you through the process of choosing a trusted agent with the right qualities, legal eligibility, and emotional strength to carry out your wishes — no matter what the future holds.
What Does a Personal Directive Agent Do?
Your agent becomes your legal voice if you lose capacity due to illness, accident, or age-related decline. Their responsibilities may include:
Approving or refusing medical treatments
Choosing your place of care (e.g., home care, assisted living, hospice)
Advocating for your pain management preferences
Honouring your religious or cultural care requests
Deciding who can visit you during hospitalization
Carrying out your end-of-life care instructions
Your agent has a legal duty to act in your best interest and follow your known wishes as closely as possible.
Under the Personal Directives Act, your agent must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be mentally capable
Not be your paid caregiver or someone receiving compensation for your daily care
There is no legal requirement for the agent to be a family member — you can name a friend, relative, or trusted advisor.
Key Qualities to Look For in Your Agent
The right person will be someone who:
- Understands your values and personal beliefs
- Is emotionally strong and confident in medical settings
- Can communicate clearly with doctors, care teams, and family members
- Is willing to follow your instructions — even when others disagree
- Is available and likely to be reachable when needed
- Lives in Alberta (ideally in Calgary or nearby)
This person must be able to handle stress, remain calm during emergencies, and stand firm in upholding your wishes — even if others push back.
Should You Name More Than One Agent?
You have three options:
One Primary Agent — simple and clear (most common)
Joint Agents — two people who must agree on all decisions
Alternate Agent — a backup if the first person is unavailable
Our recommendation:
Name one trusted agent and one alternate. Joint agents can cause conflict or delays in decision-making, especially in emergency medical situations.
Who Should You Avoid Naming?
Think twice before choosing someone who:
- Has a history of poor judgment or impulsiveness
- Avoids difficult conversations or emotional topics
- Is easily influenced by other people
- Lives far away and may not be available when needed
- May face a conflict of interest with other family members
- Disagrees with your personal values or health views
You want someone who respects your autonomy — not someone who will impose their own beliefs or avoid tough decisions.
Tips for Talking to Your Agent
Once you’ve selected your agent:
- Have a clear conversation about your wishes
- Review your Personal Directive together
- Explain your views on quality of life, life support, and personal comfort
- Give them a physical copy of your directive
- Ensure they know where the original is stored
Bonus Tip: Let other family members know you’ve made this decision. Clear communication now reduces tension and confusion late
Real-Life Examples
Example 1:
You name your adult daughter, who lives in Calgary and works in healthcare. She understands your end-of-life preferences and is comfortable speaking to doctors.
Example 2:
You appoint your close friend instead of your spouse, because your friend shares your beliefs about pain management and will honour your directive without hesitation.
We don’t just fill out forms. During your appointment, we:
Walk through the qualities to look for in an agent
Help you understand what roles each person plays (Will, EPA, and Directive)
Draft a clear, legally binding Personal Directive that meets Alberta standards
Help you name an alternate agent if needed
Explain how and when your agent can act
