There are two types of guardianship orders. These are for children and also for adults who no longer have the capacity to safely look after affairs.
If you have been advised to seek guardianship powers in respect of an adult, our skilled family law solicitors can help.
The only circumstance in which an adult will have a guardian is when the adult has lost capacity and, prior to losing their capacity, did not grant a power of attorney.
In these cases, the court will grant a guardianship order, granting someone powers to make decisions on behalf of the adult in relation to their welfare and/or their finances and property.
An incapable adult is a person who cannot act, make decisions, communicate decisions, understand decisions or retain the memory of decisions. An incapable adult requires someone, their guardian, to make decisions on their behalf.
Any person who has an interest in the adult can become their guardian. The court will only grant a guardianship order if it considers that there are no other means available to manage the adult’s affairs. Additionally, the court must be satisfied that granting the guardianship order will benefit the adult.