What duties does a guardian have?

Guardians’ duties are outlined in the court order that appoints them. In general, this includes financial management, health care decision making, residential placement*, reporting to the court, and miscellaneous decision making in the best interest of the incapacitated person. Guardians should not be managing every aspect of a person’s life. They are not care providers. They should be facilitating and advocating with care providers for the person, but not performing the tasks themselves at an additional fee to DSHS.

*Note, however, that guardians may not consent to detain an incapacitated person in a residential treatment facility against their will.