Successor Guardians and/or Conservators are needed for:
Wards or protected persons currently under the care of the Office of Public Guardian. Individuals who have been deemed legally incapacitated with regard to making decisions on their own behalf by a court proceeding, and who have no one in their personal network to serve as a guardian or conservator can come to be under the care of the Office of Public Guardian. In order to fulfill statutory requirements and allow the Office of Public Guardian to serve on more (and more difficult) cases the OPG seeks to move stabilized wards/protected persons in our care to the care of qualified and willing members of the public. Successor Guardians/Conservators play a vital role in improving the lives of vulnerable adults in our state who have few significant or fulfilling relationships in their lives.
Role of Volunteer Successor Guardian and/or Conservator
A successor guardian and/or conservator has responsibilities defined by the court. These duties may include some or all of the following:
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Selecting the individual’s place of residence
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Arranging for medical care
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Protecting personal effects
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Giving necessary consents, approvals, or releases
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Arranging for education, & services
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Applying for private or governmental benefits
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Ensuring that anyone required to help support the Ward does so
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Entering into contractual agreements
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Receiving money and applying these funds to housing, medical care, personal effects, education, and other services;
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Any other area which the court may direct.
Becoming a successor guardian and/or conservator is ultimately the court’s decision. The Office of Public Guardian will provide information and support to successor guardians and/or conservators in the same manner that it is provided to other private guardians and conservators. Successor Guardianship and/or Conservatorship is a permanent responsibility which can only be terminated through court action.
What do I need to serve as a Volunteer Successor Guardian and/or Conservator?
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Successful completion of the 3-hour Guardian/Conservator Education class
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Copies of credit and background check information submitted to court when 1st appointed as a Guardian and/or Conservator.
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Matching process with a potential ward or protected person and/or current guardian
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Court appointment
What Is The Time Commitment?
Successor Guardians enter into a very close and committed relationship with their wards. This relationship can be compared to that of a parent and child. Sometimes the time commitment for parenting one's child can be quite extensive (to say the least). However, as a parent works to foster the personal growth and independence of their child, parenting becomes less and less of a time commitment even though it remains a constant responsibility. It is much the same with guardian and a ward. If an adult ward is in a stable and healthy living situation, guardianship is largely a matter of helping to maintain that health and stability. However, if and when emergencies or complications arise, as guardian you are responsible for making yourself available to deal with the situation. People volunteering as conservators, and not as guardians, can generally expect less of a time commitment as their role only pertains to maintaining a protected person's property and finances.
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If you are interested in speaking with someone about becoming a Volunteer Successor Guardian and/or Conservator, please direct inquiries to Erin Wiesen, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at Erin.Wiesen@nebraska.gov