As parents grow older, they may need help managing their affairs—whether financial, medical or legal. When they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves, guardianship becomes a critical responsibility.
Becoming a guardian is both a legal process and a profoundly personal commitment. Adult children might want to explore the requirements, duties and considerations for becoming an aging parent’s guardian.
Older adult guardianship
Guardianship is a legal mechanism that aims to protect individuals who cannot care for themselves due to:
- Age
- Illness
- Disability
For aging parents, this often becomes relevant due to terminal conditions such as:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Mental illness
These chronic health issues impair their ability to make informed decisions. While family members are often preferred for guardianship, the process involves formal legal steps to help ensure the parent’s rights are protected.
Legal requirements for guardianship
For an adult child to initiate guardianship, they’re required to demonstrate that their aging parent significantly struggles to make decisions. This requires thorough medical evaluations from doctors or psychologists. Courts will use these assessments to confirm the need for a guardian.
The petitioning family member is required to provide evidence that their loved one is incapacitated and outline why guardianship is in the individual’s best interest. A court hearing will then be scheduled, where the judge reviews the evidence, including medical assessments and testimonies, to decide whether to grant guardianship.
Prospective guardians will then undergo background checks to help ensure they are suitable for the role. Courts may also require financial disclosures and interviews to assess the applicant’s ability to manage the parent’s affairs responsibly.
Becoming a guardian for an aging parent is a profound responsibility that blends legal, financial and emotional commitments. Prospective guardians should carefully assess their ability to fulfill the role, seek legal help and explore alternatives such as a power of attorney or care management plans if guardianship feels overwhelming.