Show All Answers

1. What is guardianship?

Guardianship is a relationship in which one person, called a guardian, is appointed by the Probate Court to make decisions and act for another person, called a ward.

• A guardian of the person makes decisions about the ward's personal matters, such as housing, medical care, recreation, and education.
• A guardian of the estate makes decisions about the ward's financial matters.

2. Who may be a guardian?

A guardian must be 18 years of age or older and competent and suitable to act as guardian. A guardian of the estate must be a resident of Ohio.

3. Who may be a ward?

A ward may be an adult incompetent or a minor.

• An adult incompetent is an adult who is unable to take care of himself or herself, or his or her property, as a result of mental impairment or illness, developmental disability, or chronic substance abuse.
• A minor is a person who is under 18 years of age.

4. When does a guardianship end?

• An adult guardianship of the person ends when the ward dies or is restored to competency, or when the guardian dies, resigns or is removed by the Court.
• An adult guardianship of the estate ends when all of the ward's property has been properly spent and the guardian's final account is approved by the Court.
• A minor guardianship ends when the ward reaches 18 years of age