Guardianship Services

When individuals can no longer make safe or informed decisions for themselves, often due to illness, disability, or cognitive decline, a legal guardian may be appointed by the court to protect their well-being. Our agency is honored to serve in that role.

We provide professional guardianship services for adults who have been deemed incapacitated by the court, stepping in to ensure they are safe, supported, and treated with dignity. Our team takes this responsibility seriously, acting not just as decision-makers, but as advocates and protectors.

Emergency Guardianship

In urgent situations where someone is at immediate risk (such as unsafe hospital discharge, neglect, abuse, or financial exploitation) we are ready to act quickly. Working with attorneys who petition the court for an emergency guardian, we can take swift steps to secure housing, medical care, or financial protection for the individual involved.

Permanent Guardianship

When long-term support is needed, we serve as court-appointed permanent guardians, managing both personal and/or financial matters as appropriate. This role may include:

Approving medical treatment
Selecting appropriate living arrangements
Overseeing care plans
Managing income and assets
Ensuring legal compliance and ethical oversight

Our team works closely with healthcare providers, social workers, attorneys, and families to make informed decisions, using substituted judgement and best interest.

Reporting and Integrity

As professional guardians, we are accountable to the court. Some of what we do is as follows:

Submit detailed annual reports about the individual’s care and condition
File petitions when necessary to sell property and/or use funds for care
Participate in review hearings if circumstances change
Maintain clear records of all decisions, expenditures, and correspondence

Transparency, integrity, and ethical decision-making are central to everything we do.

Nearly 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most common causes of adult incapacity.

— Alzheimer’s Association, 2023

Need a Guardian?

If you're a hospital, care facility, attorney, or family member in need of a professional guardian, we’re here to help.

Contact us to learn how we can step in with compassion, experience, and urgency.

Guardianship FAQs

A legal guardian is someone appointed by the court to make decisions for an adult who has been declared incapacitated. This may include decisions about healthcare, housing, and finances. Our role as court-appointed guardian is to ensure the individual’s safety and to advocate for care that upholds their dignity and promotes their best possible quality of life.
Anyone concerned for the well-being of an incapacitated adult (such as a hospital, nursing home, attorney, social worker, or family member) can petition the court for a guardian.
We are appointed to serve as:

Guardian of the Person – Managing personal, medical, and residential decisions.

Guardian of the Estate – Overseeing finances, property, and legal matters.

Emergency Guardian – Short-term guardianship in urgent situations.

Limited Guardian – Oversees court-specified duties.
In emergency situations, temporary guardianship can often be granted within 48–72 hours of filing the petition. Permanent guardianship usually takes 6-8 weeks, depending on court scheduling and documentation.
Yes. While the guardian holds legal responsibility for decision-making, we deeply value input from the family, care providers, and support teams. We recognize that, although the guardian may be new to the individual, the family knows them best. Our approach is collaborative, guided by substituted judgment, and rooted in respect for the person’s values, preferences, and history.
In many cases, fees are paid from the individual’s estate. If no funds are available, coverage may be provided through hospitals, public programs, or referring agencies.