Opinion ID: 1826501
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: alternative resource plan

Text: The trial court may appoint a guardian only after finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that there is no available alternative resource plan suitable to safeguard some or all of the ward's vital interests. NDCC 30.1-28-04(2)(b)(2). `Alternative resource plan' means a plan that provides an alternative to guardianship, using available support services and arrangements which are acceptable to the alleged incapacitated person. NDCC 30.1-26-01(1). Diane says that her continued receipt of services from the workshop and the North Central Human Service Center is a definite alternative resource plan to guardianship. We agree. Although the trial court found that no alternative existed, one does exist for much of Diane's decisionmaking. As we summarized earlier, the opinions of Diane's psychologist and her caseworker projected that her Workshop living arrangement could continue satisfactorily, except for medical needs. No expert testimony contradicted those opinions. Diane has been a continual resident at the Workshop for the better part of 20 years. Except for a few instances of inadequate functioning, Diane's needs appear to have been satisfactorily met through the Workshop's services. Diane desires to preserve her independence. This kind of alternative should be bypassed only when clearly necessary. [4] Mary Lou Holliday, Diane's caseworker, testified: Q Mary Lou, do you have any reason to believe that Diane cannot function as she has for the last eight years with the same situation? A I have no specific reason to believe that Diane cannot function. I think she's very capable of functioning, I think that she chooses not to do that sometimes. I think that maybe the placement Diane is in right now is not structured enough for her and I would hope to come up with something that would be more helpful to Diane. I think that the ISLA Program is a very good program and it meets a[ ]lot of Diane's needs,.... Thus, Diane's relationship with the Workshop is a plan that provides an alternative to guardianship, using available support services and arrangements which are acceptable to Diane. NDCC 30.1-26-01(1). We conclude that the trial court was clearly erroneous in finding that there is no available alternative resource plan that, except for medical needs, could be used for Diane's decisionmaking.