為精神上無行為能力的成年人及長者管理資產 Managing Assets of Mentally Incapacitated Adults or Elderly

 為精神上無行為能力的成年人及長者管理資產

就管理精神上無行為能力的人（MIP）的資產而言，監護人每月只能持有、收取或支付上限港幣12,000元。如果希望進一步管理MIP的資產，申請委任受託監管人會是更佳選擇。

申請人必須先向法庭申請研訊，以查明當事人是否因精神上無行為能力而無能力處理和管理其財產及事務。當事人的任何親屬、社會福利署署長、法定代表律師或監護人均可提出申請。如果法庭認為合適，即可委任受託監管人。由根據法庭命令轉讓、出售及取得財產，到代表MIP進行法律程序，都屬於受託監管人的權力內。

在很多情況下，資產管理與對MIP的護理及治療都不能完全分開處理，但受託監管人並沒有權力去代表MIP同意接受醫療或牙科治療。因此，在Re TYL [2009] HKCU 1522一案中，一個長者的受託監管人向法庭尋求指示，希望知道如長者需要治療，受託監管人可如何獲得相關權力。法庭回應並指出受託監管人可根據《精神健康條例》第IVC部尋求法庭的同意。

Managing Assets of Mentally Incapacitated Adults or Elderly

A guardian can hold, receive or pay a specified sum up to only a maximum of HK$12,000 per month on behalf of a mentally incapacitated person (the “MIP”). What if a person wishes to have more capacity in managing the assets of the MIP? Application for an appointment of a committee of the estate may be a better option.

The applicant should first apply for an inquiry into whether the person concerned is incapable, by reason of mental incapacity, of managing and administrating his property and affairs. This application can be made by any relative of the concerned, the Director of Social Welfare, the Official Solicitor or the guardian of the concerned. If the Court thinks fit, it may appoint a committee of the estate. The committee’s power ranges from transferring, selling or acquiring a property under Court’s orders, to undertaking legal proceedings on behalf of MIP.

In many cases, the management of assets cannot be wholly segregated from the care and treatment of the MIP, but the committee does not have power to agree on behalf of the MIP to any medical or dental treatments. Hence, in Re TYL [2009] HKCU 1522, where the committee of a mentally incapacitated elderly sought guidance from the Court how to procure authorization when the elderly required medical treatment, the Court commented that the committee could refer to Part IVC of the Mental Health Ordinance and make application to the Court for consent.