Fees for Guardianship
(Court Appointed)
Temporary or Emergency authority:
$75 per hour plus $150 per month.Full Guardianship Monthly fee:
$265, including Payee services.Costs associated with the receipt of VA income:
Assessed under VA Fiduciary authority.Fees charged to Insurance:
$150.00/hour plus $200 per month (or as mutually agreed upon).Professional fee:
$150.00/hour instead of outside contractor costs.One-time closing fee to transfer or terminate the case: $300.
Guardianship Limitations
Limitations: Understanding what we can and cannot do.
While the Court appointment grants significant authority to a Guardian, it is important to understand there are limits to this power. In reality Guardianship is a balance of cooperation, persuasion and agreement. With a few exceptions, i.e. when a person is at risk of causing harm to themselves or others, a Guardian cannot force a person to:
Take their medications or participate in medical treatments they refuse.
Engage in behaviors or relationships that may be unhealthy or illegal.
Stay in or move to a placement or location they refuse.
The caseload for a Guardian worker is approximately 70 clients. It is physically impossible for a Guardian to be in constant contact with all of these individuals. Frequently, a Guardian is not the first to know of an event that may impact a client. Guardians must rely upon clients, care givers, family, and friends to provide important information on the changes and needs in a clients’ lives. We see all of these people as partners in the care of the client.
While we hope to develop a relationship with families as partners in care, this partnership requires equal consideration from the families. In the case of large families, it is helpful if one person can be the point of communication and relay information to others. When that is not possible, group emails or other agreements may be necessary to manage communication needs.
Guardians can only purchase or provide living arrangements or services that the client’s resources are able to afford.
Guardians will apply, or cooperate with others that are applying for public benefits for our guardian clients. Many times, these applications are subject to the cooperation of others, such as a spouse or family member.
Guardian Finances and Advocacy Services does not control the actions of other organizations such as Social Security, Veterans Administration, Department of Human Services, or other benefits providers. These application processes take months, sometimes years, to conclude.
Description of Program
A Guardian is appointed by the Probate Court to serve a person the court has determined is “unable to make or communicate informed decisions.” Typically, a Guardian is authorized to make decisions regarding appropriate living or placement, medical treatment, and other life care decisions. If necessary, a Guardian may also apply to become the Representative Payee and/or apply for public benefits for the client to help manage their money and assure their basic needs are being met.
What You Need to Know
The appointment of a Guardian is a legal process that is managed by Probate Court and governed by the laws of the State of Michigan. The appointment of a Guardian is a serious intervention in a person’s life and results in the loss of their rights to manage their own life. It should be considered a last resort, after all less restrictive options for managing the situation have been exhausted. See our Money Management Service to explore the less restrictive and preventative services we provide.
Guardianship Services
A legal guardian is appointed by the court for an individual deemed unable to make their own decisions. A guardian is primarily responsible for medical and placement decisions. Our clients are adults aged 18 and up with disabilities such as mental illness, traumatic brain injury, mental illness, dementia, and developmental disabilities.