New York Court System Launches Guardianship Resource Webpage

Press Release:

This useful information for anyone interested in learning more about the guardianship process, including informational videos (with subtitles in several languages), a glossary online resource contains

of commonly used guardianship terms, and links to critical information and resources for appointed guardians.

The Guardianship Resource Webpage was built as part of a nearly $1,000,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, to modernize and reimagine guardianship proceedings in New York State. The Unified Court System’s partners in this endeavor are Project Guardianship and JASA. Other components of the grant include creating a guardianship-specific module in the court system’s case management system, the creation of standard motion and order templates commonly used in guardianship cases, and significant outreach to guardianship stakeholders.

What Is Guardianship?

Guardianship gives a person or organization the legal right to make certain decisions for another person. Guardianship requires going to court and only a judge can appoint a guardian.

A person may need a guardian if they are unable to make decisions, manage their affairs, and are at risk of harm because of serious illness, disability, dementia, or other conditions that impacts their ability to think and act clearly.

New summaries on aging and disability law released

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School has released two new publications in its "explainer" series on Aging and Disability Law for state and local policy makers:

• “Adult Protective Services – Autonomy Versus Protection”
• “Guardianship for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in New York.”

A news release from the center explains:

“These explainers provide accessible information about the legal protections for vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities, two groups making up a significant part of our communities. It’s something that touches us all, because it’s very likely someone we are close to falls into one of these groups….Throughout its history, the Government Law Center has focused on providing law and policy makers with options for reforming existing laws and designing new ones. Our Aging and Disability Law explainer series is our latest contribution to helping meet the needs of this growing and diverse population.”

Prior summaries released were:

• “Healthcare Proxies: Appointing People with the Power to Make Healthcare Decisions for Others."
• “‘Act Now’ Healthcare Proxies.”
• “Hospital Ethics Committees.“
• “The New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.”

For more on these publications and the Government Law Center, click here.