Guardianships
A guardianship is a legal relationship wherein the Probate Court appoints a person (a guardian) to make certain decisions for another person (a ward) proven to need such assistance. The decision-making power removed from a person should be as limited as possible. Under Georgia law, a guardianship shall be "designed to encourage the development of maximum self-reliance and independence in the [person] and shall be ordered only to the extent necessitated by the person's actual and adaptive limitations" (O.C.G.A. 29-5-7(h)).
A guardianship can be created on an emergency basis, and it can be temporary (limited in duration) or permanent. Guardianships can be limited in scope, removing as few rights as necessary.
A guardianship is of the person and a conservatorship is of the property. Visit the Conservatorship page to learn more.
Decision-Making Rights
A guardianship can take away a person's rights to:
- Decide to marry
- Make contracts
- Consent to medical treatments
- Establish a residence
- Bring or defend an action in court
Apply for Guardianship Appointment
To learn more, view the Guardianship Appointment Process page.
Alternative Options
There may be alternatives that you can see rather than a guardianship or conservatorship. Please review the Guardianship and its Alternatives in Georgia Brochure from the Georgia Advocacy Office for more information.