Guardianships protect incapacitated adults, disabled adults and minor children. The legal guardian is a person who has the legal authority to care for the personal and property interests of another. It is a legal process used where a person who can no longer make or communicate safe or sound decisions about their own personal or care or manage their finances, or is susceptible to fraud or undue influence from others. The guardian/conservator is appointed by the Court and is authorized to make legal, financial and health care decisions for the person in need of a guardian.
Because a guardianship involves the loss of a person’s freedom and dignity it is important that the authority of the guardian be tailored to the person’s needs and not overly restrictive.
An attorney is used to navigate the guardianship legal process and assist with the guardianship plan that best protects and keeps as much personal freedom and dignity as possible.