It is public, costly, and removes rights from the person, so courts treat it as a last resort. It is usually needed only when no power of attorney was signed in time and a decision cannot wait.
Supported decision-making and limited guardianship are less restrictive alternatives available in some states.
Why it matters
It is what a family faces if powers of attorney were left too late, which is the argument for doing them early.
Sources
Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.
Guardianship and conservatorship where you live
The local guide on this, for each city we cover.
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Buffalo, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Milwaukee, WI
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Tucson, AZ