What are a guardian’s financial obligations?

There are three types of guardian: 1. Guardian of the Person (one whose sole purpose is that of performing duties relating to the care, comfort and maintenance of a ward); 2. Guardian of the Estate (one appointed solely for the purpose of managing the property, estate and business affairs of a ward); 3. General Guardian (a guardian of both the estate and the person).

A guardian is not required to support the ward financially or to contribute his own resources to the ward, and is not liable for the ward’s debts. Guardians act in a decision-making capacity. They do not have to provide personal care or shelter for their ward(s).

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1. What is guardianship?
2. Is the Department of Social Services the preferred guardian?
3. Who needs a guardian? Who is an incompetent adult?
4. What are a guardian’s financial obligations?
5. When does guardianship end?
6. What do I do if I have reason to believe a disabled is being abused, neglected or exploited and does not have anyone to access services to protect him?
7. Why should I report?
8. Will the person find out that I called?
9. What information is needed when I call DSS?
10. What are some common behavioral indicators that a person may be abused, neglected or exploited?
11. What is abuse?
12. What are some indicators of abuse?
13. What is neglect?
14. What are some indicators of self neglect?
15. Who is a caretaker?
16. What are some indicators of caretaker neglect?
17. What is exploitation?
18. What are some indicators of exploitation?
19. My mother needs to be placed in a nursing home/adult care home. What can I do?
20. My father won’t cooperate, i.e. take his medicine. What can I do?
21. I think someone is taking my mother’s check. What can I do?
22. What happens once an Adult Protective Services report is made?
23. Why can’t you tell me who made the report?
24. What can I do to help my neighbor who is not taking care of herself?
25. Does DSS provide low-income housing?