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In order to sign a power of attorney, the principal (the individual who is issuing the contract) must be an adult of sound mind. While the definition of a “sound mind” is fluid, it generally means that the principal must ...

A conservatorship is a legal arrangement where a judge appoints a family member, friend, or organization to handle the affairs of an incapacitated adult. The vast majority of conservatorship cases involve an adult who is in a coma, suffers from advanced ...

A conservator is appointed by a judge to help a minor, disabled adult, or an incapacitated person with their financial affairs. Without a conservatorship, only the individual’s parents or spouse can manage their assets. Common duties of a conservator include: Handling the ...

Guardianship is intended to provide a substitute decision-maker for adults who are disabled or incapacitated. Guardians are given the authority to assist adults with their personal, medical, and financial affairs. Considering the breadth of power this entails and the fact that ...

In a guardianship, a legal guardian is appointed by the court to handle the affairs of a minor or incapacitated adult (known as the ward). A guardian’s responsibilities may be general or limited, and can vary from case to case, but ...

When an adult becomes mentally incapacitated and can no longer manage their own affairs, a family member or close friend will usually be asked to step in and provide assistance and care. Depending on the extent of the incapacitated adult’s ...

Generally speaking, a guardian is not personally responsible for the ward’s (person being taken care of) debts or bills. The guardian has a duty of care to ensure that all bills are paid on time, but if there are no ...

When an adult is incapacitatedor otherwise unable to manage aspects of their affairs—be it financial, medical, or personal—it’s important to have someone with the authorization to assist them and act on their behalf. Spouses are inherently granted the necessary authorization ...

When an adult loses the mental capacity to handle their finances, healthcare decisions, and/or living arrangements, a family member or friend will usually step in to provide assistance. Due to strict confidentiality and property laws, any would-be caretaker—including a spouse, ...

Watching an elderly family member or friend suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is one of the hardest things to witness in this life. As elderly patients lose precious memories, they gradually lose the ability to care for themselves. When ...