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Article 81 guardians are often given broad powers over an Incapacitated Person’s life. One of the more challenging decisions many guardians face is deciding where their ward should live. 

Is the current living situation suitable? Should the Incapacitated Person live at home? A nursing home? 

Making the decision itself is just one piece of the puzzle. An article 81 guardian in New York must first consult the Order and Judgment appointing them guardian to ensure they have the power to decide where their ward lives, or in legal parlance, “choose the place of abode”. Guardians often need to go back to court to get a judge’s approval to move their ward to a new living environment.  This procedure is called making an interim motion.Continue Reading ‘Choosing the Place of Abode’: The Power to Determine Where an Incapacitated Person Lives

If you’ve been appointed a guardian or conservator in a state other than New York, but are seeking to exercise your powers as guardian in New York State, you’ll need to register various papers in New York first (unless you petition anew). Otherwise, you won’t have the legal authority to exercise your powers as guardian in the Empire State. 

I’m a big fan of checklists. This step-by-step guide makes the process easier.Continue Reading How to Register an Out-of-State Guardianship in New York

Two United States Senators last week called on the heads of two federal agencies to provide data and information on adult guardianship and conservatorships, as the media directs national attention to the controversial conservatorship of pop superstar Britney Spears.

In an open letter to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) gave the Secretary and A.G. until July 14, 2021 to provide information on data systems in place for officials at the agencies to access information regarding:Continue Reading U.S. Senators Draw Attention to Lack of Guardianship Data as Britney Spears Conservatorship Controversy Gains National Attention