After the eighteenth birthday, a person is legally an adult and is responsible for handling his or her own finances, giving consent for medical treatment, signing contracts, and so forth. The natural parent is no longer the legal guardian. If a person lacks the ability to understand or is unable to make or communicate responsible decisions about his or her care or well-being, then parents or other responsible adults can file a petition in court asking that they be named as legal guardian, or asking that another legal guardian be appointed. While a guardian has legal rights and responsibilities for their ward, the guardian is not financially responsible for her or his support or for paying for needed services. It is also possible to assume partial guardianship, with the legal duties and powers clearly delineated.
Guardianship is a legal matter and can have long far-reaching effects.
The proceedings and legal language can be very confusing To provide the best possible protection of the civil and le gal rights of those involved in a guardianship issue, you will need to seek advice, ask many questions and follow the due process. If you are considering guardianship for your child, begin looking into it before they reach 18. A very helpful booklet is Guardianship in Alaska which includes information about guardianship as well as sample and blank petition forms. You can obtain this booklet at either the Office of Public Advocacy in Anchorage or at any of the Disability Law Center of Alaska offices. Also contact Disability Law Center of Alaska for information.