The rights of people who need guardians to help them manage various aspects of their lives is an issue that continues to be in flux. In the case of guardianship, a delicate balance needs to be struck in determining the extent to which a person's basic civil rights are to be curtailed by the judicial appointment of another person to act m their stead. The balance is not so delicate that it cannot be achieved. Often a parent will have themselves appointed guardian and name a stand by guardian at the same time. Guardianship should be viewed as an invaluable tool, but to be so, it must be understood.
Guardianship can be an important support and service for people with developmental disabilities.
It can provide both advocacy and access to services. It can make the difference between someone continuing to live in the community or having to move to a facility. In fact, it can provide a degree of stability to the plan you develop with your family. There are two types of guardianship in New York. They represent two very different approaches to guardianship.