What is an emergency guardianship?

An emergency guardianship is a type of guardianship that is put in place in Washington state when there is an immediate need to protect an incapacitated, elderly adult or minor child from abuse, exploitation, or self-neglect. It is a type of guardianship that is not permanent and is designed to provide temporary protection for someone in a vulnerable situation. A court can only grant an emergency guardianship if the person or people requesting it can prove to the court that the proposed guardian is the only available option for the protection, health, and safety of the proposed ward. To be granted an emergency guardianship, the petitioner must provide evidence that the proposed ward is not capable of making decisions for themselves and that an extended guardianship is necessary to protect them from harm. When an emergency guardianship is granted, the guardian is given the power to make decisions for the ward, such as providing food, health care, shelter, and other necessities. The guardian is also able to make decisions about financial matters, like managing the ward’s investments, bank accounts, and assets. Once the emergency guardianship is granted, the court will review the guardianship and may require that the guardian provide regular reports on the ward’s condition and progress. The court will also review the guardianship after a certain period of time to determine whether it is still necessary or if the ward is able to make decisions for themselves again.

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What is an emergency guardianship?

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