Guardianship Encyclopedia
How is a Guardianship Created?
Each jurisdiction uses its own terminology for guardianship proceedings.
For example, some states use the term "guardian," as in guardian of the person (for
personal and health care decision-making authority) and guardian of the property
or conservator (for control of property).
The guardianship process is usually initiated by the filing of a petition with the
Court requesting the appointment of a Guardian. This petition is usually filed by
a concerned relative or friend, or other interested party or organization such as
a hospital, nursing home, or social service agency.
The Court will usually appoint an attorney or someone to represent the proposed
ward or an attorney to independently investigate the facts and advise the Court.
A hearing will be held and the Court will hear the testimony of the persons involved.
If warranted, the Court will appoint a Guardian or dismiss the petition because
the Court has determined that a Guardian is not needed.
A guardianship may be limited or unlimited. For example, the Court may restrict
a Guardian's authority so that to do certain things (such as moving the individual
from his or her home to a nursing home or to sell the individual's home) would require
specific Court approval and authority.
A Guardian or Conservator must file reports to the Court. For example, initially
an 'inventory' must be filed listing all of the individual's assets. Usually annually,
an 'accounting' must be filed listing in detail what income you received, what expenses
you incurred, and the balance remaining. The 'accounting' must be supported by canceled
checks and bank/investment statements and is then audited by court personnel and
hopefully approved.
Once you have gained control of the assets of the individual and arranged for the
payment of his or her bills, you must address his or her care and living arrangements.
This is usually the most difficult and demanding aspect of serving as a Guardian.
Frequently, this is determined by the assets of the individual. If the individual's
health is such that he or she can be maintained in his or her home, are there sufficient
funds to cover the costs? If not, alternative living arrangements must be examined
and their costs assessed. It is extremely important to involve medical personnel
and social workers in this decision-making process and to consult with and involve
the individual concerned as much as possible.
Avoid the tendency to assume you know what is best for the individual and to act
without consulting or advising the individual. Many problems can be avoided by so
doing. Even an incapacitated person can have moments of clarity in which they can
express their first choice.
If the individual has limited means and his or her needs will require placement
in a nursing home, then the Guardian should immediately seek out and choose an appropriate
nursing home while funds are available. Some nursing homes accept initial Medicaid
applicants, but have a limited number of beds allocated to Medicaid, and some do
not accept Medicaid.
By being a self-paying resident initially and later applying for Medicaid, you can
avoid these problems and broaden your choices for acceptance by a nursing home of
your choice.
Funeral plans are another consideration. If the individual has not made prior arrangements,
you should consider using some of his or her funds to pre-purchase a funeral before
the funds are exhausted and a Medicaid application is filed.
A final bit of advice is to try to keep open lines of communication between you,
as the Guardian, and the Ward and his or her friends and relatives. This avoids
misconceptions of your actions or motives. Frequently, these misconceptions, if
not promptly corrected, result in unwarranted complaints being filed with the Court
and the time and expense of responding to them.