{"id":370,"date":"2021-01-28T22:22:17","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T22:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/guardianships-conservatorships\/?p=370"},"modified":"2023-08-14T21:36:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-14T21:36:27","slug":"become-court-appointed-guardian-for-elderly-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/guardianships-conservatorships\/blog\/become-court-appointed-guardian-for-elderly-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Court-Appointed Guardian for the Elderly in Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever cared for elderly parents or grandparents, then you probably know that it\u2019s common for challenges to arise along the way. In some cases, the aging process can result in impairments and disabilities that affect an individual\u2019s capacity for decision-making.<\/p>\n

Without support and guidance, some elderly adults may struggle to make choices about their finances, housing, or even medical care. That\u2019s where guardianship comes in. An authority granted by the court, guardianship gives someone the legal power to make health-related decisions for a person who is incapacitated.<\/p>\n

What Is a Court-Appointed Guardian?<\/h2>\n

A court-appointed guardian is someone with the authority to make decisions for an elderly individual. While conservators make decisions about an individual\u2019s money and property, guardians typically deal with health and medical care. Additionally, guardians may make arrangements regarding the elderly individual\u2019s housing, education, food, clothing, and social life.<\/p>\n

Guardians are appointed to assist people who are deemed \u201cincapacitated.\u201d While some guardians make decisions for elderly loved ones, others help those who suffer from physical or mental illness, drug abuse, or another disability. The people guardians care for are generally known as wards.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that a guardian can\u2019t make whatever decisions they want on behalf of the incapacitated person. Instead, guardians should make the decision the incapacitated person would have made if they had the capacity to do so. Moreover, a guardian should strive to meet the incapacitated person\u2019s needs in the least restrictive way available to them.<\/p>\n

Various individuals can serve as a guardian for an elderly person in Arizona. Most commonly, friends and family members fill the role of guardian. However, if an elderly person doesn\u2019t have family members who are willing or able to fill this role, the judge can appoint a private fiduciary to serve as guardian.<\/p>\n

Reason to Become a Guardian of an Elderly Friend or Relative<\/h2>\n

Wondering if your elderly loved one needs your support? Here are some indicators that a person in your life may be incapacitated:<\/p>\n