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A person can become incapacitated due to a traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and additional causes. If your loved one can no longer make decisions for themselves, you and your family members might discuss the possibility of court-appointed guardianship for the individual. If you are considering choosing a guardian for an adult ward, here's what you should know first.

What Are a Guardian's Responsibilities?

A guardian must make decisions regarding their ward's health care needs, keep track of their medical records, and ensure they have insurance coverage. 

guardianship

The person will also speak on behalf of the ward when communicating with doctors, attorneys, and financial professionals. The guardian will routinely report to the court and assess the ward's condition to determine whether guardianship can end. 

When managing their ward's finances, a guardian's responsibilities are limited. Although guardianship allows for the handling of small sums of money, an incapacitated person will need a conservator to handle larger sums. A conservator can also make investments and pay bills on the ward's behalf. 

What Qualities Should a Guardian Possess?

As a guardian serves as the legal decision maker for another person, it's important for them to already know your loved one's wishes regarding their medical needs and other important matters. A guardian might need to routinely meet with the ward and other people in their life, so it's best that they already live nearby for convenience.

If you and another relative are both considering guardianship, the more organized of the two candidates might be the better choice. That's because they must keep the ward's documentation organized. The person with a more flexible schedule might be a better guardian, too, as they might have fewer personal and professional obligations that affect when they can handle the ward's affairs.

 

To start the legal process of obtaining guardianship for an incapacitated individual, reach out to The Law Offices of Bromm, Lindahl, Freeman-Caddy & Lausterer in Wahoo, NE. The law office has been a venerable fixture in the community since 1893. The skilled lawyers can also assist with estate planning and family law matters. Learn about the practice areas online, and call (402) 443-3225 for a consultation. 

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