What are the duties and responsibilities of a guardian?
• Make decisions only as necessitated by the ward’s limitations. • Encourage the ward to participate in decisions, act on his/her own behalf and develop or regain the capacity to manage his/her own personal affairs. • When making decisions, consider the expressed desires and personal values of the ward to the extent known; if not, make decisions based upon the ward’s best interest. • Determine where the ward should live. • Arrange for and make decisions about care, medical treatment or other services for the ward. • See that the basic daily personal needs of the ward are met, including food, clothing and shelter. • Financial management for a ward with limited assets if there is no conservator. • Within 60 days after the appointment, guardians must file a report which includes a personal care plan for the ward. • Submit annual reports to the court regarding the status of the guardianship and condition of the ward. • Obtain permission from the court to move the ward out of the State of C
A guardian must visit the incapacitated person at least four times per year. Within 90 days of appointment as guardian, the guardian must file what is called an initial report. The initial report typically contains a brief summary of the status of the incapacitated person and a list of the assets of the incapacitated person. By May 31 of each year the guardian must file an annual report with the court which explains in detail all income and disbursements from the previous calendar year.
