How does a guardian make decisions on behalf of a ward?

In California, a guardian is a trusted person appointed by a court to take care of a ward, an incapacitated adult or minor. A guardian makes decisions on behalf of the ward in matters of health, safety, and well-being. A guardian must act in the best interests of the ward. This means that the guardian must always make decisions based on what is best for the ward, even if those decisions don’t align with what the guardian may personally believe or prefer. Generally, guardianship decisions can be broken down into two categories: personal decisions and financial decisions. For personal decisions, this includes decisions about living arrangements, healthcare, and education. For financial decisions, this includes decisions about how money will be spent and how assets will be managed. In California, guardians must be active participants in the ward’s life, attending to the ward’s financial and personal needs. Guardians must also make decisions based on the ward’s preferences and values. However, if the ward is unable to express these preferences or values, the guardian must make decisions based on what they believe to be in the ward’s best interests.

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