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Abstract: 

When the court appoints a guardian for an adult, what is the expectation of how the guardian will fulfill this daunting and powerful role? Guardians must make decisions on behalf of vulnerable, at-risk individuals who cannot care for themselves and/or manage their property—“stepping into the person’s shoes” and at the same time accounting to court. It is indeed one of society’s most arduous roles. This article focuses on the lack of uniformity from state to state on the standards of this guardianship, despite the National Guardianship Associations “Standards of Practice”. The umbrella group of a number of concerned organizations, the National Guardianship Network, attempted at its recent “summit” meeting to create a universal set of standards.

Keywords: guardianship standards; National Guardianship Network

Affiliations:  1: AARP Education and Outreach; 2: San Francisco Probate Court; 3: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging.