Sometimes adults need help taking care of themselves and making decisions. That’s why people can set up a guardianship. Michigan law allows a judge to appoint a “guardian” of an adult in certain situations where help is needed.
The Probate Pro has produced this video to better understand these issues before you speak with a Michigan guardianship lawyer.
A court-appointed guardian can make decisions for the person who needs help. The judge will determine what decisions the guardian can make. A guardian might be able to decide:
There are many things you should think about before you file a petition. If at all possible, the adult in Michigan who needs help should talk to a guardianship lawyer to help figure out what is best for him or her.
There are options other than a full guardianship. Not all the options will work for everyone. Some of them will only work if the person is still able to make decisions. Some depend on what help the person may need. A few of these options other than a full guardianship are briefly described here.
A conservator is appointed by a judge to take care of another adult’s finances and assets. A conservator is not expected to use his or her own money to support the adult needing assistance. The court can also limit a conservator’s authority to certain kinds of decisions for the adult. The conservator:
An adult can choose to appoint someone to take care of his or her finances through a financial “durable power of attorney.” The adult must be of sound mind to sign this document. He or she can:
Because this can be complicated and can give away a great deal of power, it is best that the adult seek the help of a Michigan guardianship lawyer to prepare it.
You will sometimes hear this called a “patient advocate designation” or a “durable power of attorney for health care.” It is a document an adult can sign that gives someone else the authority to make care decisions when he or she is not capable. Those decisions could be about:
The adult can give the “agent” or “patient advocate” as much or as little authority as the person wants. This can include authority to withhold or withdraw life support services. The adult must be of sound mind to sign this document and must decide he or she wants it.
Because this document can be complicated and can give away a great deal of power, it is best that the adult seek the help of a lawyer to prepare it.
If the adult is an inpatient at a hospital, his or her wishes regarding resuscitation should be discussed with his or her physician as soon as possible.
If the adult is not in a hospital, he or she can sign a document that will refuse CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). This document is known as a “Do Not Resuscitate Order” or “DNR.” The adult must be of sound mind to sign this document.
An adult can work with his or her attending health professional to complete a document that will specify types of medical treatment that are permissible. This document is called a physician orders for scope of treatment (POST) form.
A POST form contains medical orders that are jointly agreed to by the adult and the attending health professional or a patient representative and the attending health professional. A POST form is not intended to be used as a stand-alone advance health care directive. The adult must be of sound mind to sign the form. A POST form may be obtained through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
A limited guardian is appointed by a judge to make limited decisions in certain instances. For example, the judge may say that the guardian can only make decisions about living arrangements. A limited guardianship can give a person some independence while providing the specific help needed.
To ask that a guardian be appointed for an adult, a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Incapacitated Individual must be filed with the court. A judge will appoint a guardian only if the condition of the adult meets specific requirements.
The Probate Pro can assist with these important issues. Please contact our Michigan guardianship attorneys today.