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Guardianship

What is guardianship?

Guardianship is the legal process by which one individual takes control of another person’s life. A guardian is responsible for taking care of a person who is incapacitated and can no longer make their own decisions. The guardian makes sure the person is safe, healthy, and has all their needs taken care of.

Three different examples of people who need a guardian include:

  1. A minor child whose parents are both deceased
  2. A developmentally disabled adult
  3. A person who has become incapacitated

Recent headlines have been filled with guardianship issues and celebrities, but the real world of guardianship is far less glamorous.

holding hands with an elderly loved-one

For an elderly person who has become incapacitated because of illness or aging, guardianship is the last resort when no advance planning has been done. Having a Power of Attorney and Healthcare Power of Attorney completed when an estate plan is done can prevent needing to go to court to obtain a guardianship. With these documents, a family member or trusted person can manage the affairs of an incapacitated person. Without them, the family will need to go to court.

Who can be designated as a guardian?

Legal guardians by the court and may or may not be a family member. There are people who serve as professional guardians when there is no family member able or willing to serve as a guardian. When a person is declared legally incapacitated, they become the “ward” of the person who becomes their “guardian” or “custodian.”

What are the different types of guardianship?

There are different levels of guardianship, and which one is right for your loved one will depend on their level of competency.

Full Guardianship

Full guardianship is when the guardian controls every aspect of a person’s life, including where they live, who they socialize with, what medical care they receive and whether or not they attend school, work or are enrolled in an adult daycare program.

Limited Guardianship

Limited guardianship is when the guardian is empowered to make only certain decisions, such as handling finances for a person who can otherwise manage everything else (home, nutrition, getting dressed, etc.) on their own.

Co-guardianship

“Co-guardianship” means there are two guardians making decisions on the ward’s behalf. This may sound like a good idea, but if two people have different views on the best interest of the ward, it could become problematic.

Guardian ad litem

Guardian ad litem is the term used to refer to a guardian appointed to represent the ward while legal proceedings are underway and not yet concluded.

To apply for guardianship, a physician has to conduct a medical examination and make a statement declaring the person attesting to the person’s mental acuity and physical ability. An application for guardianship is made in court and proceedings take place to confirm the need for guardianship and to gain the court’s approval of the person seeking to become a guardian.

The proposed ward is required to be notified about the application for guardianship. Anyone in the family with legal right to know about the petition is also required to be notified.

A person does not have to agree to the guardianship and may bring their own attorney to prevent the court from assigning guardianship.

Naming someone to serve as the person’s Power of Attorney and Healthcare Power of Attorney is a much easier process, but, when necessary, guardianship is the best solution to a difficult problem.

What are the responsibilities of a guardian?

The roles and responsibilities of the different types of guardians vary depending on the type of guardianship. Typically, the responsibilities of a guardian include making financial, healthcare, and living arrangements for the ward. The guardian must also act in the best interests of the ward and ensure that the ward's needs are met.

For help with guardianship or if you have any additional questions about guardianship, please contact us today.

Client Success Stories

Leah Atkinson
Leah Atkinson
March 7, 2022.
Nick has been helping me with my mother's estate since she passed over 2 years ago. He has been a godsend! Always easily flexible and responds very quickly if something urgent came up. He was very helpful with understanding the processes of everything we were doing. Then after almost 2 & 1/2 years, his final invoice was wayyy cheaper than I expected (not really knowing the going rate for estate work). This was a very trying time in my family's life and Nick made it so much easier! Thank you Nick!
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Tanya Pattison
August 2, 2020.
Roger deuce
Roger deuce
July 30, 2020.
Provides top notch services at affordable prices. Highly recommended
LouisDMichael
LouisDMichael
July 30, 2020.
If you’re in need for an attorney in the greater Lansing area, you can do no better than Nicholas Leydorf. Do yourself the justice of having him as your counselor.
Shandra Bremer
Shandra Bremer
July 30, 2020.
Needing a lawyer is never fun, but Mr. Leydorf made the experience quick and painless. He got the job done, and we felt like we were in good hands the entire time.
Anjuli Baraily
Anjuli Baraily
July 28, 2020.
Roy Salas
Roy Salas
July 24, 2020.
Mr leydorf represented me like he was the one on the stand. Best court experience ever!!!
Erica Johnson
Erica Johnson
July 17, 2020.
Nick is an excellent attorney! From the first time I met him he was very informative, responded to all my questions and was caring and understanding. I got the best possible outcome and I will definitely refer Nick to anyone that needs a great attorney! He goes above and beyond for his client!
Gravity Smokehouse
Gravity Smokehouse
June 24, 2020.
Nick followed through with everything and was very responsive with any questions or concerns that came up. Nick is very personable and easy to talk with as well.
Megan Bryers
Megan Bryers
March 6, 2020.

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