When people reach an advanced age, they may sometimes have difficulty caring for their own needs. In these situations, guardianship may be an option. A person who is appointed as the legal guardian of an elder may be able to make a variety of important decisions related to medical and personal care, financial matters, and more. However, an elder may not want to completely give up control over their life, and they may want to be able to make certain types of decisions for themselves while ensuring that someone they trust will be able to provide assistance when necessary. In these situations, limited guardianship may be an option, and it will allow an elder to maintain some control over their life while still getting the help they need.
Limited Guardianship vs. Traditional Guardianship
With traditional guardianships, the court appoints someone to be a person's legal guardian. A guardian of the person will be able to address a person's medical care, decide where they will live, and provide for their personal needs. A guardian of the estate will have control over a person's money, the assets they own, and their financial affairs. In a traditional guardianship, the guardian will have complete control over these issues.
With limited guardianship, the court appoints a guardian but allows a person to retain some control over their own life. For example, with limited guardianship, a person may be able to have a say in where they will live, the types of medical care they will receive, and whether to have certain financial transactions carried out.
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