Protecting Those Who Need Support

A legal arrangement where a court gives one person (the guardian) the authority to make decisions for another person (called a ward) who cannot safely make those decisions on their own."

The guardian manages the ward's daily life, medical care, or finances. The court stays involved and requires regular reports.

The court decides whether a guardianship is truly needed, appoints the guardian, and continues to oversee the guardian's actions afterward.

Guardianship takes away some of a person's legal rights, so Texas courts are required to use the least restrictive option that still protects the person.

The proposed ward is entitled to their own attorney. The court can also appoint an attorney if the person can't afford one.

Clear evidence that the proposed ward is substantially unable to care for themselves or manage their property.

It can protect someone who can't safely make decisions on their own, and protect them from people who might try to take advantage of them.

The court can remove a guardian, require repayment of misused property, and in serious cases guardians can face criminal charges.

A Guardian of the Estate can be given legal authority to access a person's money and property to pay for care, including nursing home costs, on time.