"Kylie helped me when I needed to have my mother assessed as part of the homologation process. She was very professional, replied to emails and calls promptly, knowledgeable and really kind. She understood my situation was time sensitive and made herself available."

— J.M.

"Ms. Goldman did a psychosocial evaluation of my mother for the homologation of her mandate of protection. She treated my brother and I, and especially my mother, with compassion and professionalism. When interviewing my mother, it was as if two friends were having a conversation. My mother felt very comfortable with Ms. Goldman."

— T.

"Kylie prepared two reports for us, with a view to homologating protective mandates for my parents. It never felt like Kylie was treating me as a client. She always took the time to listen, and to provide validation and support as I navigated a very stressful and emotionally charged experience. Kylie is a consummate professional."

— D.E.

What to expect when you work with me

A clear four-step process from first call to delivered report.

1

Free 15-min consultation

A short call to understand your loved one's situation. I confirm whether an assessment of incapacity is the right path and answer any questions about the process.

2

Paperwork & family meeting

You complete the intake paperwork before we begin. We then hold a family meeting (typically virtual) to gather background, medical history, and the concerns prompting the assessment.

3

In-home assessment

I meet your loved one at home or at their place of residence. I assess their social functioning, autonomy, and capacity to care for themselves, their property, and to exercise their civil rights.

4

Written report delivered

I deliver a detailed psychosocial report directly to your notary or lawyer, typically within two weeks of our first meeting. The report becomes part of your petition to the Superior Court of Quebec.

Having conducted over 100 assessments of incapacity, I have witnessed the emotional turmoil that families undergo during this difficult process. It often feels overwhelming. My role is to ease that burden and move the process forward with care and clarity.

When an assessment of incapacity is needed

A psychosocial assessment of incapacity for the homologation of a protective mandate or to institute tutorship to a person of full age is, as the formal wording suggests, a legal process. In plain language, it's part of a decision that a family or group of caring friends may take when a loved one can no longer look after themselves and their property, or exercise their rights.

There are a number of conditions that may lead to this situation, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, mental illness, traumatic brain injury and stroke, among others. In these circumstances, the purpose of homologating a protective mandate, or instituting tutorship when no mandate exists, is to legally authorize a trusted person to make decisions on behalf of the person who is no longer able to do so for themselves.

Where to start: engage a notary or lawyer

The process begins when a family member or someone close to the individual decides to petition the Superior Court of Quebec. To do so, you will need to engage a notary or lawyer who specializes in this area of law. They will guide you through the legal requirements and coordinate the necessary evaluations.

To get started, here are some key questions to ask:

Does your loved one have a protective mandate (sometimes called a "power of attorney in case of incapacity")?
If yes, who is named as the mandatary (the person appointed to act on their behalf)?
If no mandate exists, are you prepared to petition the Court to institute tutorship?
Has a medical evaluation already been completed, or does one need to be arranged?

View the three legal steps to petition the Court

Engage a notary or lawyer who specializes in protective mandates and tutorship.
Submit a medical evaluation, conducted by a physician, confirming the person's incapacity.
Submit a psychosocial assessment of incapacity, conducted by a social worker.

This is where my experience comes into play. Over 100 completed assessments inform every report I write. Once you have engaged a notary or lawyer and have the medical evaluation in hand, I will assess your loved one's social functioning and autonomy at home or at their place of residence. This includes their capacity to care for themselves and their property, and whether they need representation to exercise their civil rights. My assessment will help in determining their need for protection, and is a contributing factor in your petition to the Court.

Turnaround: For uncomplicated files, reports are typically delivered within two weeks of the first meeting. Complex files may require additional time, which I will discuss with you upfront.

This process may feel daunting and overwhelming. But I am here to help you, to guide and support you every step of the way.

Common questions

A few of the questions families ask before booking. See all FAQs

How long does the whole process take?

From your first 15-minute consultation to delivered report, expect 3 to 5 weeks for uncomplicated files. The in-home assessment itself takes 45 to 90 minutes. Reports are typically delivered to your notary or lawyer within two weeks of the first meeting.

What happens during the in-home assessment?

I visit your loved one at home or at their place of residence. The conversation is informal and respectful. I assess their understanding of their situation, their ability to manage daily life, finances, and health decisions, and their capacity to exercise their civil rights. Most people experience it as a conversation, not an examination.

What if my parent doesn't think they need this?

Very common. I frame the visit gently, often as a chance to talk about how things are going at home. Most people are willing to chat without pressure. If the assessment cannot proceed because of refusal, I will discuss next steps with you and your notary.

How much does it cost?

Fees depend on the complexity of the file and whether the assessment is for a mandate of protection or for tutorship. I discuss specific costs during the free 15-minute consultation, with no obligation to proceed.

Specific situations

→ Homologation of a mandate of protection — if a mandate was signed before your loved one became incapacitated
→ Tutorship to a person of full age — if no mandate exists
→ Assistance measure — a lighter option than tutorship (2022 reform)

Ready to take the next step?

Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how I can help you and your family.

Book a Free 15-Min Consultation

Psychosocial Assessment of Incapacity in Montreal