Source: https://www.independenceassociation.org/faq
Timestamp: 2019-08-22 09:01:58
Document Index: 275400643

Matched Legal Cases: ['§3', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5467', '§3', '§3', '§5466', '§1218']

FAQ | Independence Association
A guardian is a legally recognized alternate decision maker for a person who is incapacitated. The person with incapacity, for whom the guardianship is set up, is called the ward. “Capacity” and “incapacity” are legal terms which define the boundary between a person’s ability, or not, as the case may be, to make informed, reasoned decisions in important areas of life, such as medical or financial decisions, or whom to marry. A person who is found to be incapacitated cannot make those decisions.
Yes, a guardianship can be full, meaning that the guardian makes all decisions for the ward, or limited, meaning that the guardian can make decisions for the ward only in whatever areas of life that have been authorized and enumerated by the probate court.
Sometimes guardianship is confused with conservatorship, which is basically a guardianship for a person but only for financial matters. A guardian still can make most normal financial decisions for the ward, without obtaining a conservatorship.
A full guardian for an adult incapacitated person has the same power as a parent has over a child, even though the ward is of adult age. (18-A M.R.S. §3-312) For instance a guardian can decide where it is that a ward will live. A limited guardian has the same powers in whatever areas have been designated by the probate court, such as medical or financial.
A guardian is expected to act in the best interests of the ward. A full guardian, or a limited guardian with the power to make medical decisions, may withhold or withdraw life sustaining treatment without a court order, unless the guardian’s decision is made contrary to the advice of the ward’s primary physician, assuming that the ward never left written instructions if the ward ever had capacity.
Note that having a legal power, and being able to exercise that power, are two different things. For instance a guardian may have the legal right to tell the ward where to live, but sometimes trying to enforce that decision on the ward can be difficult. There is no absolute guarantee that other entities in society, such as police, will enforce the guardian’s decision on where the ward will live.
If I become guardian, am I financially liable for the costs of the ward’s care, or the ward’s debts?
No. The probate law states that a guardian is not legally obligated to provide from the guardian’s own funds for the ward, and is not liable to third persons for the acts of the ward. (18-A M.R.S. §5-312(a))
My child has severe disabilities. I have made all the important decisions in her life.
Do I need to become guardian now that she is an adult?
Yes, if you want the legal authority to continue to make similar important decisions on her behalf. The law presumes that anyone over eighteen years of age is competent to make decisions on their own. Even though the adult child’s disabilities are obvious to everyone, and even though you have been acting as decision maker in your child’s life, you need the authority granted by a probate court to continue in that role.
A guardianship begins with the filing of a petition for appointment of a guardian for an incapacitated person in the probate court of the county in which the proposed ward lives. That petition is on a form provided by the probate court called a PP-201. You also have to file a form PP-502, which sets out the plan you devise to make sure that that ward’s needs are met. The third form that has to be filled out is on PP-505. That form is filled out by a physician or psychologist. The forms are available at any county probate court for a small fee. Many forms are available on line. Clerks of probate courts can be quite helpful in giving information about the guardianship process but they refuse to give legal advice.
The proposed ward must be given notice of the hearing, and may attend the hearing. The hearing itself may be in the courtroom but some probate judges do conduct the hearing in chambers, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Hiring an attorney is not absolutely necessary if you are comfortable filling out forms and presenting your case to the judge. The probate judge may appoint a visitor or guardian-ad-litem (who is like a visitor but who is an attorney) to interview the proposed ward and investigate the circumstances of the proposed guardianship and report back to the court in writing. (18-A M.R.S. §5-407(b-1)) If the proposed ward is likely to contest the guardianship, or if someone else (like an ex-spouse) is also vying to be appointed guardian then it is probably better to have the help and advice of an attorney.
how do I choose between full and limited guardianship?
It really depends upon the individual’s circumstances. The probate court is required to encourage the development of maximum self-reliance and independence of the ward and to issue protective orders that are tailored to the ward’s actual mental and adaptive limitations. (18-A M.R.S. §5-408) So full guardianship should not necessarily be assumed. Consistent with the principle of using the least restrictive appropriate alternative, a petitioner for guardianship should try to preserve areas of decision making for the ward if the ward has demonstrated some competence in those areas.
I am a guardian for my adult child, but I will not live forever.
What should I do to help make sure there is a guardian after I am no longer around?
The parent of an incapacitated person may by his or her will appoint a guardian. (18-A M.R.S. §5-301) The new guardian designated in the will has to file an acceptance of the appointment in the court where the parent’s will is probated, after giving seven days written notice to the ward and to the person who is taking care of the ward or the ward’s nearest adult relative. If someone files an objection, then the appointment by will is terminated and the court will decide who becomes the new guardian.
That is the legal side of things. This is really a family matter. If you can, identify a person within the family or someone you trust who is willing to be nominated in your will. Then if possible start the process of having the person become acquainted with the needs and desires of the ward, and the special issues that might arise in the ward’s life.
Can I temporarily delegate my guardianship authority to someone else?
Yes. A guardian can delegate any power except the authority to consent to a marriage, for up to twelve months, by a properly executed power of attorney. The power of attorney has to be filed with the probate court. (18-A M.R.S. §5-104)
Where can I learn more about guardianship?
Yes. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services has a web site about guardianship that is available. It provides useful information, and a “Guardianship Guide”, much of which is about possible alternatives to guardianship.
My child is nearing adulthood. How do I find out if she is eligible for services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism?
First you have to contact the regional office of the part of Maine DHHS that provides services to persons with intellectual disabilities or autism. Ask for the intake coordinator. There is a written application that has to be filled out, and the intake coordinator’s job is to either fill out the application or to help you do it. The decision on eligibility is supposed to be made within 90 days of submitting the application, but it is possible for the process to take longer. (34-B M.R.S. §§5467-5469)
The application has been filled out and submitted. What happens next?
The intake coordinator and the intake coordinator’s supervisor look at the information. For persons with intellectual disability, they are interested in IQ test scores and functional test scores. (14-197 C.M.R. Chapter 3, §3.1) Usually the IQ test is a WAIS, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The functional test is usually a VABS, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. The Vineland tests the applicant’s abilities in daily living skills. The WAIS and the Vineland are the most commonly used tests in Maine, but there are other tests that are sometimes used. The results of both tests must be found by DHHS to be two standard deviations below the mean—in numerical terms, 70 or less. If one test is higher and the other is lower than 70 the person will be found ineligible.
Sometimes it is very clear from the outset that the applicant has a score -- or several scores, because IQ testing and functional testing are often done at least several times in the course of growing up and being in special education—and the person has scores below 70 and is eligible. Occasionally no test scores can be found. Other times the scores will straddle 70, because neither IQ testing nor functional testing is an exact science and a person’s performance may differ from time to time due to other factors. If no recent reliable test scores can be found, or if there is a history of scores straddling 70, or if there is some reason to believe that scores are “artificially” low, such as testing affected by poor vision or hearing, then DHHS will arrange for a testing by a person it chooses. Under state law the testing is supposed to be “comprehensive”. After reviewing the test results of the chosen tester, the regional office will make a decision and let the applicant know in writing.
Can I appeal a determination that my child is not eligible?
Yes, if you have authority, such as guardianship authority, to make the appeal. (14-197 C.M.R. Chapter 3, §3.3) If you are not guardian, and the applicant is over eighteen years of age, then the applicant must appeal. The appeal must be in writing and it is very important not to miss the appeal time deadline, because once that passes DHHS will consider the matter final. Even if new evidence emerges later, indicating eligibility, DHHS may refuse to take it into account.
MainECare Appeal
If you get a letter saying your MaineCare Service will be reduced or taken away, and you do not agree with the decision, you have a right to appeal. You might appeal if the decision affects your health or safety, or if it means you will not receive services that are in your Person Centered Plan. You need to appeal within 10 days after you get the letter. If you do this your services will stay the same until the Appeal is decided.
There is a hearing in front of a hearing officer. The person in the regional office, usually the supervisor, explains why it was that the person was found ineligible. The person, family members, and others can testify as to why they believe the person is eligible. The hearing officer makes a recommended decision to the commissioner of DHHS and the commissioner makes the final decision. The commissioner’s decision can be appealed to Superior Court but deference is given to the commissioner and no new testimony is taken in court
Grievance procedures: if I do not agree with the services we are getting can we file a grievance?
First we recommend you speak to your case manager. If you still are in disagreement with the services being offered you can file a grievance following the rules available through this website and utilizing this form. Your case manager or an Advocate can give you the rules and help you file your grievance.
Can I get help in the application and hearing process?
Yes, state law provides that an applicant is entitled to the services of an advocate throughout the application process. (34-B M.R.S. §5466) That includes any hearing. This is a very specialized area of the law and most attorneys are not familiar with the details of IQ and functional tests.
How should the personal planning process address special communication needs?
All unmet needs in a person’s life are important to identify in the personal planning process but communication needs are particularly critical. It may be that a person is able to communicate needs, wants, and desires adequately on his or her own, without additional supports, in which case it is not so crucial to specifically address any communication issues in the personal planning process. However many people with intellectual disabilities or autism face additional challenges communicating their wants and needs, and in those cases it is of the utmost importance to identify and address barriers to communication in the personal planning process.
do Communication barriers play a role in generating unwanted or adverse behaviors?
It has long been known that all persons at whatever level they happen to function in their daily lives strive to communicate in one way or another with the other people who are in their lives. If the ability to communicate is thwarted, or limited so that the so-called “normal” ways of communicating through voice or gesture do not suffice to communicate wants or needs, the person will find other ways to communicate.
There is a direct correlation between the inability of a person to convey his or her discomfort, pain, annoyance, exasperation, boredom, and other similar dissatisfactions with life in the person’s present moment, and “adverse” behaviors exhibited by the person. Thus in any case in which a planning team is addressing adverse behaviors and where communication barriers may be present or are suspected to be present, the team should be asking: “What, if anything, is the person trying to communicate by exhibiting the identified adverse behavior?”
In attempting to answer this question, the team should listen carefully to the direct care workers who are providing care to the person, because these workers often have insights based upon their observations that can be key to identifying triggers to the adverse behavior. They can also be extremely perceptive in picking up seemingly minor changes, such as in the person’s facial expression or mood, that are precursors to the target adverse behavior. Also unless a professional evaluation has previously been done in the recent past, the team should identify as a need a communication evaluation, specific to the person, by a professional. There have been many advances in computer assisted communication technology for persons with developmental disabilities and a competent professional may be able to suggest a system that would substantially increase the person’s ability to communicate.
In combination the professional evaluation and the input from direct care staff can give the planning team ideas and direction in terms of making alterations in the person’s environment, or for the provision of additional training for staff in the person’s idiosyncratic style of communication, that when implemented eliminate or decrease the person’s adverse behavior.
Are there special rights for persons who are both deaf or hard of hearing, and also have intellectual disabilities or autism?
Yes, Maine law does contain provisions that entitle persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and who also have intellectual disabilities or autism to special services. These services must include, but are not limited to, appropriate assessments, interpreter services in American Sign Language, training for direct service staff in American Sign Language and deaf culture, specific residential options for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, the placement of telecommunication devices in residences and places of employment or other community-based services, and support for the person’s family. (34-B MRS §1218(2)) Each regional office within the Department of Health and Human Services must have at least one person who is proficient in American Sign Language and each regional office must identify a person who is responsible for the coordination of deaf services in that region. The personal planning team should identify any needs that a person may have in these areas and work with the regional office designee to insure that these needs are met.