Guardian/Conservator:
A guardianship/conservatorship is established by the Superior Court of Washington to protect and manage the personal and financial affairs of an individual due to temporary or long-term incapacity.
A guardian is an organization or individual appointed to manage the personal affairs of an incapacitated individual. This can include making medical decisions by providing informed consent, supervising support services, and making residential decisions on the individuals behalf. It may also involve assisting the individual with managing personal and social relations to ensure a protected social environment.
A conservator is an organization or individual appointed to manage the financial affairs of an incapacitated individual. This can include managing assets and income and paying expenses on the individual’s behalf. It may also include entering into contracts and pursuing legal action on the individual’s behalf.
Guardianships and conservatorships may be full or limited. If full, it is implied that the guardian/conservator is responsible for managing all the individual’s affairs. If limited, the limitations should be clearly identified for the benefit of all parties.
Guardianships and conservatorships may be temporary or long term. A guardianship/conservatorship is the option of last resort only to be put in place if other protective arrangements are not available to the individual. The guardian/conservator has a duty to limit the scope of the guardianship/conservatorship whenever possible and to pursue all possible avenues to re-establish an individual’s autonomous decision making.
A guardian/conservator is always required to make decisions on an individual’s behalf in line with their historic preferences or, if not known, in the individual’s best interest.
A professional guardian/conservator is required to be certified in the State of Washington by the Certified Professional Guardian/Conservator Board. The principals of Summit and Summit as an organization are all Certified Professional Guardians/Conservators.