Protection of vulnerable adults
Court protection measures, family authorisation and lasting powers.
When a relative can no longer manage their affairs, the court may order a protection measure; a lasting power can anticipate it. We advise families on the right measure and on disputes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between curatelle and tutelle?
Under curatelle, the person acts on their own but must be assisted by their curator for important decisions. Under tutelle, they are represented continuously by their guardian. The judge chooses the lightest measure that is sufficient, based on a detailed medical certificate. Family authorisation and a lasting power of attorney (mandat de protection future) are alternatives.
How can I protect an elderly relative who can no longer manage their affairs?
Several measures exist, from the lightest to the most protective: a lasting power of attorney (mandat de protection future), signed in advance by the person; family authorisation (habilitation familiale), allowing a relative to represent them; temporary judicial protection (sauvegarde de justice); curatorship (curatelle), which assists them; and guardianship (tutelle), which represents them. Apart from the lasting power of attorney, the measure is requested from the protection judge, with a detailed medical certificate from a doctor on the public prosecutor's list.
