Does the ward retain any rights?
Some areas of the person’s life may involve fundamental rights or a right of privacy. There may be specific medical procedures, such as those that implicate reproductive rights, for example abortion or sterilization, that should be decided by the person whenever possible. If this is not possible, the law may require the guardian to ask the probate court to review the guardian’s decision. In addition, voting is a fundamental right. Unless a court specifically rules, after a hearing, that a person is incompetent for purposes of voting, the person retains the right to vote even if the person has a guardian of the person and the estate. While a guardian can “voluntarily” admit the ward to a developmental center, or psychiatric hospital, without prior approval of court, the court may review the admission subsequently upon request for release by the Ohio Legal Rights Service or the person. Also, some rights are personal to the ward and cannot be exercised by a guardian. A guardian cannot mak
