Our law practice includes drafting guardianship documents and handling guardianship issues. Guardianships can be created for anyone who is incapable of making decisions.
The person appointed to make those decisions is a guardian and the person for whom those decisions are being made is a ward. Guardianships are often for children, but can also be for adults or incapacitated persons. Anyone who is unable to care for himself or herself can have a guardian. A guardianship can be utilized in estate planning or in life care planning.
Similar to powers of attorney, guardians can be appointed with full powers, which gives the guardian comprehensive authority. Guardians can also be appointed with limited powers that specify the matters in which the guardian has authority.
Guardianships are often for limited duration. In the case of a child, it is typically until the child reaches the age of majority. In the case of an adult, it is typically until the adult recovers from his or her incapacity or dies.