Guardianships in Connecticut: An Overview
Anna is a 42-year-old school Principal at a high school in Connecticut. Her mother, Dorothy is 70 and has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and anxiety. Dorothy lives alone and is no longer able to make sound decisions about her day-to-day life. She has also been experiencing some health issues lately. Anna wanted to make sure her mother was safe and well-looked after, so she petitioned the court to become Dorothy’s full guardian, making medical decisions for her, ensuring she lives somewhere pleasant, seeing that her needs are met, and paying her bills. This has helped both Dorothy and Anna immensely and relieved a lot of stress for Anna.
What is a Guardianship?
A guardianship authorizes one or two individuals to make decisions and take actions on behalf of another individual, who is called their ward. This individual is likely unable to manage their own personal and health-related affairs due to their old age, ill-health or special needs.
Guardianship can cover a wide range of financial and welfare elements. In Connecticut, adult guardianships are granted when it is shown that the ward has an “intellectual disability”. The courts put great emphasis on making the guardianship as un-restrictive as possible.
The extent of the guardian’s authority will depend on the specifics of the individual case. However, usually, having a surrogate decision-maker means that financial, health, and personal plans are taken care of. The kinds of decisions that are made often include:
Living arrangements (where and who with)
Medical treatment
Educational or vocational path
Spending decisions
Access to personal records
Under full guardianship, an individual still has every right to be treated with full respect. They are able to vote and practice their religious beliefs. It’s also possible for them to seek termination of the guardianship if necessary. Overall, the role of the legal guardian is to help the ward make the best decisions for themselves, to ensure that they live a dignified and happy life.
In terms of who is eligible to be a guardian, it is usually someone with an interest in the ward, such as their family or friend. Guardianships are important because they often ensure that appropriate and continuing care is given to the individual.
How Do Guardianships Work in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, it is possible for private citizens to address the Probate Court in order to obtain legal guardianship for a person with an intellectual disability, a sickness or old-age. There are a few different types of guardianship, including:
Plenary (full)
Limited
Standby of person and/or estate
How Can Nedder & Associates Help with Guardianship in Connecticut?
At Nedder & Associates, we always approach guardianship requests with expertise and sensitivity. Our core values are integrity, honesty and loyalty. This means that we always put the needs of our clients first, leveraging our specialized expertise in the area of guardianships.
Guardianships are granted when an adequate showing is made to the Probate Court, which is best attained through hiring an experienced attorney. We help manage your application, in which it must be proved that the subject is unable to meet their own needs. We will also make it clear to the court what level of authority you’re requesting, while guiding you through the hearing.
We understand that for our clients, a loved one suffering from cognitive decline, mental illness or brain injury is incredibly challenging. However, with your care and sound decisions, the best outcome can be achieved for all. Get in touch with us today for your free consultation.
