Guardianship Proceedings in North Carolina for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

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1 Guardianship Proceedings in North Carolina for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities UNC School of Medicine ANTHONY D. NICHOLSON McPherson, Rocamora, Nicholson & Nordgren, PLLC February 11, 2015

2 What is Guardianship? Court process to replace a person s authority to make decisions for himself or herself about personal, healthcare and/or financial matters. Court appoints a guardian to have the authority to make decisions for that person. Guardianship can be tailored to the needs of the person to preserve the person s ability to make decisions which are within his or her comprehension and judgment.

3 Incompetency and Guardianship Proceedings Two-stage process, but both are handled at the same court hearing. First Stage is Incompetency evaluates a person s ability to manage his own affairs and to make important decisions about his self, family or property. Second Stage is Appointment of Guardian Court appoints the guardian and specifies type of guardianship and any limitations on the guardian s authority.

4 Legal Definition of Incompetency An incompetent adult means an adult who: 1. lacks sufficient capacity to manage his own affairs OR 2. lacks sufficient capacity to make or communicate important decisions concerning his person, family or property An incompetent child means a child who: 1. is at least 17 ½ years old AND 2. lacks sufficient capacity to make or communicate important decisions concerning his person, family or property

5 Types of Guardianship Guardian of the Person - appointed solely for the purpose of performing duties relating to the care, custody and control of a person. Guardian of the Estate - appointed solely for the purpose of managing the property, estate and business affairs of a person. General Guardian - Guardian of Person AND Estate

6 What is Limited Guardianship? Clerk of Court limits the authority of the guardian by permitting the person to retain certain rights, rather than giving complete authority to the guardian. Could be used with all three types of guardianship: general, person, or estate. Allows guardianship to address the needs of the individual, rather than one size fits all

7 What rights could a person retain in a Limited Guardianship? Limited Guardianship of the Person, - The right to decide his own living arrangements - The right to participate in certain programs offered by service providers or to choose jobs - The right to make limited medical decisions - The right to be consulted in making decisions Limited Guardianship of the Estate or Limited General Guardianship -The right to manage small amounts of money and to have a bank account in his or her own name.

8 What Rights Could a Person Retain? (even if limited guardianship NOT used) Right to Vote - YES Right to Marry - MAYBE Right to Make Will or Contract - MAYBE Right to be a Witness in a Legal Proceeding MAYBE Privilege to Drive As determined on case by case basis by DMV.

9 Continuum of Options Most Restrictive 1. General Guardianship Guardian of Person and Estate 2. Guardian of the Person 3. Limited Guardianship 4. No Guardianship, but have Powers of Attorney General Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney Least Restrictive 5. No Guardianship and No Powers of Attorney

10 Difference Between Guardianship and Powers of Attorney Big Difference Balance of Control Power of Attorney - Agent cannot act against wishes of principal - Agent is subject to the control of principal Guardianship - Takes civil rights away from a person (the Ward) and gives them to another (the Guardian) - Limited Guardianship

11 Types of Powers of Attorney General Power of Attorney Health Care Power of Attorney Relation to Court Appointed Guardian

12 When is Guardianship Appropriate for a Person With a Developmental Disability? No bright line test Depends on the circumstances Decision to seek guardianship should not be taken lightly. Issues to Consider: 1. Can parents and other family members satisfy the needs of their adult child/sibling with a disability? 2. If parents were to die, would the adult child be able to get along without them?

13 Issues to Consider (Continued) 3. Does the person with a disability have ongoing medical problems that require decisions he or she is not able to make? 4. Is the person with a disability likely to make unusually frivolous purchases or to give away his or her money without considering the consequences? 5. Is the person unusually susceptible to undue influence by others? 6. Would powers of attorney and health care directives be more appropriate for a person with a disability who is high functioning?

14 Can a Guardianship be Modified or Terminated? Termination - Restoration of Competency Hearing - Can be filed when guardianship is no longer necessary. Modification - Guardianship can be modified to further restrict certain rights, to restore certain rights or to change the type of guardianship. Change of guardian requires resignation or formal motion to remove for cause.

15 Who Can Be Guardian? 1. An individual - Such as a parent, family member or other suitable person (Registered Guardian) 2. Corporation -Non-Profits (i.e. Arc of NC LIFEguardianship) 3. Public Agency County Department of Social Services or local human services agency

16 What is the Procedure for Guardianship? 1. Petition Filed 2. Clerk of Court Sets Date for Hearing 3. Guardian Ad Litem Appointed 4. Option of Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE) 5. Clerk of Court Holds Hearing 6. Bond Required for General Guardian or Guardian of Estate 7. Accountings Required for General Guardian or Guardian of Estate 8. Status Reports

17 Interstate Guardianship Issues Current Statute - Ancillary Guardianship for out of state ward who has real or personal property in North Carolina UAGPPJA - Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act under consideration by interested parties

18 Do You Need an Attorney or Can You Do It By Yourself? Depends on the circumstances. More likely to need attorney if seeking general guardianship. Less likely to need attorney if seeking guardian of the person. Even still, attorney could save time and frustration. Attorney can provide helpful advice (i.e. language for affidavits, necessary forms) or handle the whole process. Guardianship is one aspect of special needs planning. Attorney could advise on special needs trusts, SSI/Medicaid qualification, etc.

19 North Carolina Resources North Carolina Guardianship Association North Carolina Guardianship Manual North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts Responsibilities of Guardianship in North Carolina Disability Rights North Carolina

20 ANTHONY D. NICHOLSON Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Elder Law McPherson, Rocamora, Nicholson & Nordgren, PLLC 3211 Shannon Road, Suite 620 Durham, NC Phone: (919)