This would have given you legal authority to sign her name after she became ill, so you could manage the brokerage account now. Second, you could have set up the brokerage account to require only one signature. Third, you could have placed your assets in trust. Whomever you appointed as Trustee would then have legal authority to manage the assets, even after your wife s unfortunate stroke. But you cannot start the plan for those three options after disability sets in.
Guardianship is the more involved and expensive process.
You have to prove your wife is incapable of making financial decisions. After a lengthy legal process designed to protect her rights, the court can appoint you Guardian. You will then be required to post an expensive bond, will pay at least two attorneys and will be required to account to the court for most transactions. On the positive side, Guardianship gives you legal authority to manage your wife s finances and to access the brokerage account. It gives you legal authority to manage, control, and dispose of any community property without becoming Guardian.