GUARDIAN CARE & GERIATRIC SERVICES

Providing professional guardianship services, personal advocacy, private care management, and health care surrogate services for nearly a decade

Serving the greater Orlando area
407-786-6033

guardiancare@orlandoguardian.com

Guardianship Facts & Services

• Guardianship is a legal process used when a person can no longer make safe or sound decisions about his or her person and/or property or has become susceptible to fraud. 

•  A guardian is a person appointed by the local probate court to manage the affairs of such a person, called a ward.

• Because establishing a guardianship may remove considerable rights from an individual, it should only be considered after alternatives to guardianship have proven ineffective or unavailable.

• Florida has specific laws which govern guardianship proceedings and guardian activities, all of which are designed to protect the interests of the ward. Florida probate code 744. is the statute that governs guardianship.

• A Florida guardian is accountable to the local probate court and must report annually on the status of the Guardianship.

Guardianship of the Person

When the court appoints a guardian of the person, the guardian may have the following responsibilities:

• Determine and monitor place of residence

• Consent to and monitor medical treatment

• Consent to and monitor non-medical services such as education or counseling

• Release confidential information

• Make end-of-life decisions

• Act as representative payee

• Report to the court about the guardianship status at least annually

Guardianship of the Estate or Property

Estate is defined as both real and personal property, tangible and intangible, and includes anything that may be the subject of ownership. When the court appoints a guardian of the estate, the guardian is assigned the following responsibilities:

• Obtain appraisals of property

• Protect property and assets from loss

• Receive income for the estate

• Make appropriate disbursements

• Obtain court approval prior to selling any asset

• Report to the court on the estate status