What happens if a guardian is found to be acting inappropriately?
If a guardian is found to be acting inappropriately, the court may decide to remove the guardian and appoint a new one. In Washington, guardians are held to a high level of responsibility. They are required to act in the best interest of the ward at all times, and must exercise reasonable care in managing the ward’s assets. If they fail to do so, the court may find them liable for any losses the ward has suffered as a result of their actions. Additionally, the court may take other action against a guardian who has been found to be acting inappropriately. This could include issuing a warning, ordering the guardian to take certain actions, or ordering the guardian to pay for any losses that have been incurred. Finally, in extreme cases, the court may even order criminal prosecution of the guardian if it finds the guardian to be acting criminally. For example, if a guardian is found to be stealing from the ward, the court may seek to have the guardian charged with theft. In such cases, the guardian may be subject to fines or even jail time if they are found guilty. Ultimately, it is up to the court to decide what action should be taken in any particular case. However, the outcome is dependent on the severity of the inappropriate behaviour and other circumstances of the case.
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