Guardianship is a legal arrangement where a court gives a person or organization the legal right to make decisions for another person who is unable to make all or only certain decisions for themselves. There are many reasons a person may be unable to make decisions for themselves. For example, if they are a child, an intellectually or developmentally disabled adult, or legally determined to be incapacitated.
It is important that the person seeking guardianship (the petitioner) carefully consider the needs of the person believed to need a guardian and seek guardianship solely based on those needs. The petitioner should also explore alternatives to guardianship that may address any presenting concerns while also allowing the person to make decisions themselves, when possible.
Read about the different types of guardianship cases, the people involved, and how and where to start a case.
For more information on guardianships, see: