16
Sep 15
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Guardianship with Mental Health Powers

Tags : alcohol abuse Disability drug abuse guardian guardianship mental health mental illness physical illness psychiatric

Disability, physical or mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse can limit a person’s ability to live an independent life. In such cases, a guardian may be appointed to take care of everyday tasks such as housing, education, medical care, food and clothing. However, this post discusses a guardianship with mental health powers, meaning that the guardian has additional powers to deal with psychological or psychiatric issues.

To review, a guardian has the legal authority and responsibility to make all these decisions on behalf of another (who is legally referred to as a ward, incapacitated person or protected person) to protect his or her well-being. A guardian who has powers over mental health has additional authority to admit the protected person for inpatient mental-health treatment.

Admitting a ward for inpatient therapy is a serious responsibility. Inpatient treatment means the ward will not be free to leave. This limits or removes a U.S. citizen’s constitutional right to liberty and due process. Taking such an action is, understandably, a measure of last resort.

A guardian with “mental health powers” has other responsibilities and obligations of that include:

• Making decisions concerning the ward’s mental-health needs. This includes the decision to place a ward in a mental-health treatment facility.

• Seeking the advice and assistance of qualified mental health professionals.

• Exploring alternatives to inpatient hospitalization. Inpatient hospitalization should be the last resort.

• Giving notice of placement. That is, notifying the ward’s attorney of placement of the ward in an inpatient treatment facility within 48 hours.

• Providing assessment of the appropriateness of placement. The guardian is responsible to make sure assessment is done every 30 days. A copy of the assessment must be mailed to the ward’s attorney.

• Giving the facility the ward’s attorney’s contact information. If the ward is admitted to an inpatient behavioral health treatment facility, the guardian must make sure the facility has the address and telephone number of the ward’s attorney.

• Transferring a patient to least-restrictive care once and if inpatient care is no longer needed. The guardian must find alternative care within 10 days after notification from the inpatient facility that the ward is no longer in need of such care. If there are issues in finding alternative placement, the guardian or medical director or both may request the court hold a hearing for assistance.

The longest time that a guardian can admit a ward to inpatient psychiatric facility for mental health care is one year. If inpatient care is required after the year is up, the court will need to grant authorization for an additional year.

If you have questions about guardianship with mental health powers, contact our office. This is a complicated area of law and can be confusing, even for lawyers. We have the experience to help you safely navigate this often-challenging part of life.

In the next post we will look at how to remove a guardian with mental health powers.

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10
Jun 15
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What Is a Guardianship?

Tags : adult guardian guardian guardianship

Since life expectancy has increased over the last two decades., a growing group of Americans will likely need some kind of long-term assistance. An important part of preparing for the future should you become unable to care for yourself is designating a health care agent and (if needed) a legal guardian. Having a health care power of attorney can usually avoid the need for someone to get appointed as a guardian through the court system. However, sometimes despite your best attempts at planning, someone will need to go to court and be appointed as your guardian.

A legal guardianship is a legal action in which someone is appointed by a court as a guardian to make decisions regarding healthcare and personal well-being for another person (who, in legal terms, is referred to as an “Incapacitated Person” or ward). These decisions can include living arrangements, medical care and whether the family should be able to visit.

Guardianship is a big responsibility, and it can sometimes be challenging. For example, I once represented a man who was caring for his mother as her legal guardian. They both lived in the Phoenix area. This man’s brother and sister, who lived in Michigan, wanted their mother to move out to live with them. Their mother was being well taken care of and was happy in Phoenix. This could have proved difficult, with different children wanting different things for their parent. But through working with my client on aspects of his guardianship, we were able to arrange a visitation schedule for the family, similar to child-custody arrangements common in divorce situations.

Guardianship is not that well-known a function among the general public. And common misperceptions and misconceptions exist.

• One is that the guardian is legally obligated to use personal resources to support the ward. This is incorrect. A guardian’s legal obligation is to use the ward’s resources to support the ward, not the guardian’s personal assets.

• Another is that the guardian assumes liability for the actions of the ward. This is not true except in cases where, say, the guardian gives a car or a gun to the ward. If the ward crashes the car or shoots someone with the gun, the guardian can be held liable if the guardian should have known that allowing the ward to have the car or gun was dangerous.

A guardian is required to sign a document called an Order to Guardian and Acknowledgement, which outlines the guardian’s responsibilities. A guardian should this document carefully and refer to it during the guardianship to prevent errors, and ensure that all responsibilities are being followed.

Here are two common mistakes that many guardians make:

Failure to file an annual guardian’s report with the court. If you do not file this report, you will have to attend a hearing and explain why the report was not filed.
Failure to restrict access to family and others when appropriate. This can justify removal of the guardian if the guardian is acting out of spite or maliciousness (as opposed to protecting the ward from people who may be dangerous).

As we age, our needs change. A health care power of attorney is an important part of a well-planned estate to make sure a person’s needs will be met as they arise. But sometimes this document can’t be found, or there is a dispute over who should be making the decisions. In that case, someone needs to go to court to be appointed as a guardian. Just as it can be a delicate situation to consider making a will or plan an estate, it can be difficult to approach one’s parents about needing help now or in the future. It’s important to be proactive and address these issues sooner rather than later.

That’s where you come in. Remind your parents that you care about them and that you want to do what’s best to promote their health and well being, both today and in the months and years to come. And sometimes you need to make the tough call and get appointed as guardian even if your mom or dad does not want to give up control over their personal or health care decisions.

Remember that you aren’t alone. This is a common situation faced by adult children caring for their elderly parents.

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29
Apr 15
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How to Get a Physician’s Report for a Guardianship or Conservatorship

Tags : conservatorship guardianship physician's report

Caring for an aging parent or loved one can be challenging. Especially when one or both parents become unable to care for their health and finances. In these situations, it may be necessary to seek a guardianship or conservatorship to help your parents get the care and support they need.

Obtaining a physician’s report is an important step in applying for guardianship or conservatorship. In the State of Arizona, a physician’s report can be completed by a physician, a registered nurse, a psychiatrist or psychologist. The content of the physician’s report (which varies from state to state) will be used to determine whether the situation requires a guardianship or conservatorship.

Here are three important steps you need to take before the court can appoint a conservator or guardian:

Take action. If a loved one is not paying bills, starts to make poor financial decisions or isn’t receiving the healthcare he or she needs, you should be proactive. Learn more about what you can do to help. Frequently aging parents will resist a child’s urging to get help. But be persistent. You are their best advocate.
Get a physician’s report. If a parent refuses to be examined by a physician, you can enlist the support of a social worker or anyone else familiar with the situation by getting a statement about what’s going on. The court can use this statement to appoint a physician or other professional to make an evaluation.
Prepare for a court hearing. Petitioning for guardianship or conservatorship requires a lot of paperwork. Remember to include the physician’s report and other supporting documentation. It’s much easier to spend a little extra time preparing for the hearing than dealing with the frustration and delay of rescheduling a hearing because you didn’t have all the necessary paperwork. Make a checklist of what needs to be included; if you are working with an attorney, the attorney will help with the details.

If you’re seeking a guardianship or conservatorship for a loved one, or if you’re concerned about a current guardian or conservator, it’s important to know how to get a physician’s report in order to establish your case.

If you have any questions about how to get a physician’s report or about guardianships or conservatorships contact our office. We’d love to help.

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15
Apr 15
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Estate Planning: What Is a Guardianship?

Tags : guardianship healthcare probate

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.

Tag Archives: guardianship

Sep 15

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Guardianship with Mental Health Powers

Listen to the Podcast

Jun 15

-

What Is a Guardianship?

Listen to the Podcast

Apr 15

-

How to Get a Physician’s Report for a Guardianship or Conservatorship

Listen to the Podcast

Apr 15

-

Estate Planning: What Is a Guardianship?

Listen to the Podcast

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