What is a guardianship of the person?

A guardianship of the person is a court-ordered arrangement where an adult, referred to as the guardian, is appointed to legally take care of a minor or adult with disabilities. In Washington, guardianship is intended to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals who are not capable of making decisions for themselves. The guardian assumes the legal responsibility for the decisions that affect the ward’s health, safety, and well-being. When it comes to guardianship, there are two types: guardianship of the person and guardianship of the estate. Guardianship of the person is the type of guardianship described in this question. Guardianship of the estate refers to a guardian managing the financial affairs of the ward, such as income and expenses. In Washington, the guardianship process begins with an application to the court. The applicant must prove that a guardianship of the person is necessary, by demonstrating that the ward is either a minor or an incapacitated adult. The court will appoint a guardian if it finds that the proposed ward needs guardianship protection, and that the proposed guardian is qualified to act on behalf of the ward. Once appointed, the guardian of the person becomes responsible for the care and control of the ward’s residence, medical decisions, education, and other important decisions. The guardian must act in the best interest of the ward and must submit regular reports about the ward’s situation to the court. Ultimately, guardianship is an important court-ordered arrangement to protect the rights and best interests of vulnerable individuals in Washington. Guardians of the person serve as a legal advocate for the ward, ultimately making decisions that are in the best interest of the ward.

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What is a guardianship of the person?

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