by Damon W. Doucet, J.D.
Guardianship is a valuable tool which can be used to protect individuals who no longer possess the ability to make appropriate personal or financial decisions for themselves. The guardian assumes the duty of caring for the person with disabilities and/or their assets, and the court maintains oversight to reduce the risk of exploitation or abuse by the guardian.
Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning guardianship. It is important to note that the information provided herein is intended for general informational purposes only. If specific legal advice is required, please consult with an attorney in your jurisdiction.
WHAT IS ADULT GUARDIANSHIP?
Adult guardianship is the legal process by which an individual assumes the role of decision-maker for an adult who becomes unable to make such decisions for himself/herself.
Guardianship can take several forms:
WHO MAY SERVE AS GUARDIAN?
Any person may serve as guardian who:
Entities may also serve as guardian, including:
HOW IS GUARDIANSHIP DETERMINED?
The process of obtaining guardianship is governed by the laws of each state. Generally, the individual seeking guardianship must:
A Guardian ad Litem may be appointed by the court in cases where the respondent cannot, or will not, appear for personal examination by the court. The Guardian ad Litem performs an independent investigation of the facts in the case and reports to the court. After the requirements listed above have been satisfied, a hearing is then held, the evidence is presented, and the court issues a ruling.
DOES THE RESPONDENT HAVE ANY PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW?
The law takes the revocation of a citizen’s rights very seriously and provides the respondent with legal protection in guardianship cases, which are spelled out in the governing statute.
These rights are as follows:
WHAT HAPPENS IF GUARDIANSHIP IS DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY?
When guardianship is ordered by the court, the named guardian becomes an officer of the court and is subject to the oversight of the court.
If guardianship is of the person only, the guardian is required to:
If guardianship includes the ward’s estate, the guardian is required to:
WHO PAYS FOR THE GUARDIANSHIP?
Generally, if guardianship is of the person only, and the ward has no assets, the petitioner usually bears the cost burden. If the ward has an estate, the costs of gaining and maintaining the guardianship are borne by the ward’s estate.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF GUARDIANSHIP?
Examples of the limitations of guardianship include, but are not limited to:
Guardianship is a deprivation of individual rights and should be sought only as a last resort. If an individual has a disability, yet still maintains the capacity to execute powers of attorney, guardianship is not necessary. When appropriate, however, guardianship provides two important layers of protection (the guardian and the court), for those who have lost the ability to protect themselves.
Damon Doucet is a Louisiana native, a former non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps and a long time Chicago area resident. Damon is a summa cum laude graduate of Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri, and a graduate of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he was a Dean’s List student and a recipient of the law school’s Leadership and Service Award. He is a former legal intern at the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian and a former judicial intern in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Damon spent many years in corporate management and served as a staff attorney at an estate planning and probate firm on the North Shore prior to entering private practice. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Lake County, Illinois Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the America Legion.