NGA State Advocacy and Phone2Action:
If you haven’t signed up or haven’t asked your board/membership to sign up for the NGA Advocacy platform—please do so at your next meeting and/or in your next newsletter, social media post, etc.
In the last month NGA has done two statewide campaigns. The more we have signed up, the more of a voice we will have!
Please use our NGA Advocacy platform direct sign up link below.
Sign up to be informed of local and national guardianship issues that impact you!
Stay Informed and Make Your Voice Heard!
NGA has been working hard to implement of its new advocacy program that allows anyone with an interest in guardianship to communicate directly with state and/or national legislators.
You can help by sharing this link:
Helpful Links
- National Guardianship Association (NGA)
- NGA Ethical Principle Cards (Printer Friendly)
- NGA Standards of Practice
- NGA Agency Standards
- National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making
- The Fundamentals of Guardianship: What Every Guardian Should Know
- Idaho Bar Association Q & A on Guardianship and Conservatorship
- Idaho Legal Aid
- Supplemental Security Income 101- A Guide for Advocates
- 2018 Medicare 101 Presentation
- Guardianship and Conservatorship- BrightStar CEU
Frequently Asked Questions
Guardianship
A procedure whereby a competent, suitable person is appointed by the court to take care of another person called the “ward.”
A child under the age of 18 whose biological parents are unable to provide the necessary care because of death, termination of rights or circumstance, a developmentally disabled (retarded), or incapacitated person.
No. The law specifically provides that a guardian shall not be liable for the ward’s debts. The guardian is not personally responsible for payment of the ward’s medical and nursing, home care, clothing, food, and necessities.
The ward’s estate pays the fees and costs associated with the petition and appointment of a guardian.
Letters of Guardianship are your proof of authority. They cannot be revoked by anyone other then the Court. The ward cannot be influenced to make changes. The Letters of Guardianship are readily acceptable by all medical and long-term care institutions. Although a durable power of attorney for health care may suffice for a short-term medical emergency, a guardian should be appointed in a long-term care situation. Taking a shortcut may result in your loved one not receiving the attention he or she needs.
The main purpose of a trust is to provide administration of financial assets. A living trust may provide assistance in the management of the ward’s affairs, but does not relate to decisions involving health care, living arrangements, and activities of daily living. The trustee of a living trust does not have this authority, and a living trust is not a substitute for guardianship.
Conservatorship
The Court may order the Conservator to come to Court and give testimony regarding why the accounting was not filed. The Court may impose penalties for failure to file the accounting, including penalties for contempt of court.
Prepared by: The Tax Probate & Trust Law Section of the Idaho State Bar