Estate Planning: What Is a Guardianship?
As one generation matures another one needs care. Children are suddenly faced with dealing with their aging parents. This shift of roles, however natural it may seem, can be difficult. Illness, injury or long-term condition can leave a parent or loved one needing a little (or a lot) of extra help.
Legal guardianship may be necessary to allow you to help your loved one(s) make the legal, financial and healthcare decisions that are needed for their well-being.
A legal guardianship comes with a number of responsibilities. First, let’s define a few terms:
Guardianship. The legal right given to a person who will be responsible for assisting a person who is deemed to be fully or partially incapable of providing for him- or herself.
Guardian. The person granted guardianship over an incapacitated person
Ward (called an Incapacitated Person in Arizona). A person who is deemed to be fully or partially incapable of providing for him- or herself.
A guardian makes decisions about how the ward lives. These decisions include:
- It’s important to make sure your ward is getting regular, healthy meals. Malnutrition is common in the elderly.
- Doctors’ appointments, administering medication, ensuring the ward gets regular checkups are all an important part of guardianship.
- If your loved on is not safe living alone, it is the guardian’s responsibility to arrange and pay for housing from the estate funds or government benefits. (The guardian is not personally responsible for paying for this expense out of pocket.)
- Annual reporting. Filing annual guardian reports with the court is also one of a guardian’s responsibilities.
The guardian should assist the ward in maintaining as much independence and autonomy as possible, and should consider the ward’s value system, religious beliefs, wants and desires when making decisions on the ward’s behalf.
Guardianship has its limitations, and it certainly isn’t a magic wand. As a guardian, you cannot force your ward to take medications or to be more compliant. But you can make a difference in the overall care of a ward. And in especially tough situations a guardian can work with the courts to get a court order to make sure the ward in question gets the care and support needed.
Acting as guardian for an aging parent or loved one is an important role. Loved ones may need your help with the most intimate care as they age, which can be demanding and draining. And fraught with uncertainty regarding your responsibility and your ability to take action.
If you have any questions about legal guardianships, I’d love to help. Leave a comment below or contact our office.