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OUR
SERVICES
GUARDIANSHIP OF PERSON AND ESTATE
Attorneys, social workers, medical
providers and those in related fields are occasionally
confronted with situations where petitioning for guardianship becomes
necessary. In cases where no family member is able to serve as guardian,
the Office of Public Guardian may be able to assist by serving as
guardian of person or estate or both person and estate. Our guardianship
services are tailored to the individual needs of
wards and may include the following:
GUARDIANSHIP OF PERSON
- Insuring the adequate care,
comfort and maintenance of wards including housing, food,
clothing and other necessities;
- Arranging for adequate
training, education and/or rehabilitation for wards;
- Providing informed consent
for medical care, counseling and treatment;
- Maintenance of thorough
records regarding each ward;
- Seven days a week round
the clock availability in case of emergency through an
on-call system.
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GUARDIANSHIP
OF ESTATE
- Overseeing and protecting
all real and personal property and taking possession of
all income and benefits of wards;
- Making and filing an inventory
of the ward’s estate;
- Monitoring estate to ensure
that benefit eligibility is maintained;
- Monitoring estates to ensure
that clients needs can be met within their budget constraints
and that expenses are paid to proper payees in timely
manner;
- Monitoring medical bills
to ensure that all medical insurance has been billed before
the client makes any payments;
- Protecting and maximizing
the estates of wards and applying them for their support,
care and education;
- Where wards have significant
assets, OPG contracts with TD BankNorth Wealth Management
to assist in maximizing wards’ assets through prudent
investments.
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POWERS
OF ATTORNEY
Powers of Attorney for finances and/or
health care are a less restrictive alternative to guardianship.
Services are tailored to the individual needs of clients and may
include the following:
- Assistance in preparing
and executing necessary legal documents, including advance
directives if necessary;
- Providing informed consent
for necessary or desirable medical care, counseling and
treatment;
- Maintenance of thorough
records regarding each client;
- Seven days a week round
the clock availability in case of emergency through an
on-call system;
- Work with clients and care
providers to protect and maximize the client’s assets
and apply them for their support, care and education;
- Maintain client funds in
checking and savings accounts (and investment accounts
if budget allows);
- Monitor medical bills,
ensuring that all medical insurance has been billed before
the client makes any payments.
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TRUST MANAGEMENT
The Office of Public Guardian has
the expertise to manage both regular and special needs trusts. Services
we provide include:
- Assistance in preparing
and executing necessary legal documents;
- Work with clients and care
providers to protect and maximize the client’s assets
and apply them for their support, care and education;
- Monitor medical bills,
ensuring that all medical insurance has been billed before
the client makes any payments;
- Maintain client funds in
checking, savings and investment accounts. Where clients
have significant assets, OPG contracts with TD BankNorth
Wealth Management to assist in maximizing clients’ assets
through prudent investments.
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TRAINING AND
CONSULTATION
In addition to providing guardianship
and other fiduciary services, we are available to provide training
and consultation to family guardians, social workers, medical providers,
and those in related fields. Specific services include:
- Technical assistance for
family guardians;
- Presentations on guardianship
to Area Agencies, Community Mental Health Centers, hospitals,
nursing homes, and other interested groups;
- Expert consultation and
investigation of guardianship-related issues for attorneys,
probate courts, social workers, and other interested parties.
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