What is a guardianship in NJ?
——————————————————————————– A: A guardian is appointed by a court for a person over 18 who’s declared mentally or physically incapacitated – someone who’s unable to make decisions regarding his or her health, living arrangements, finances and life in general. Some reasons may include Alzheimer’s disease, mental disability or a recent stroke. Guardians in NJ are not limited to just adults. A court can appoint a legal guardian for a child or anyone under 18 whose parents can no longer take care of them. If parents abuse their children, become too ill or die, a guardian can be appointed. Sometimes parents voluntarily turn over guardianship if they think it’s best for their children. A guardian doesn’t have to be a relative, spouse, friend or lawyer; a guardian can also be an organization or state-run agency. There are also professional guardians, who are paid out of the ward’s funds, though the court must approve the arrangement.
