Guardianship
A guardianship is a legal right given to a person to be responsible for the food, healthcare, housing and other necessities of a person who has been deemed fully or partially incapable of providing these necessities for himself or herself.
Under most circumstances where a person requires a legal guardian, the person’s incapacity will also impair his or her ability to manage financial matters. Thus, petitions for guardianship are often brought at the same time as petitions for conservatorship, and all associated proceedings are combined.
When is guardianship required?
It may become necessary to petition the court to appoint a legal guardian for persons:
- Who have physical or mental problems that prevent them from handling their own basic needs
- Who as a result are in danger of substantial harm
- Who have no personal already legally authorized to assume care for them
- Where other kinds of assistance with financial management will not adequately protect them.