By Natalie Missakian
AndreyPopov/Getty Images/iStockphoto
En español
| AARP is backing legislation that would help states train and recruit
law students to represent adults facing guardianship proceedings in
court.
More than 1.3 million adults in the U.S. are living under
court-ordered guardianship because they are unable to manage their own
affairs. These adults may lose the ability to make decisions about where
to live, how to spend their money or how to treat an illness. They may
even lose their right to get married or vote.
Because so much is
at stake, AARP is endorsing the Guardianship Grant Flexibility Act,
sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-Indiana) and Bob Casey
(D-Pennsylvania). The legislation would allow states to use federal
grants for programs to train and recruit law students to help these
adults, either by providing legal representation or becoming
court-appointed guardians ad litem, representing their best interests.
The programs would be administered through law clinics supervised by a
licensed attorney, according to the bill’s sponsors.
“Unfortunately,
many people subject to guardianship proceedings cannot afford to hire
attorneys to represent them, and states do not have adequate funding to
provide representation,” Bill Sweeney, AARP senior vice president for
government affairs, wrote in a letter endorsing the legislation. “These
individuals are too often left without a voice in the system, or an
advocate to protect their rights.”
Often, guardians are family
members or friends, but public guardians are appointed when no one else
is willing to serve in the role. While many guardians do their job well,
over the years, cases of abuse, mismanagement and conflicts of interest
have also made headlines around the country.
That’s why AARP has long called for stronger oversight
of these arrangements, and the use of less restrictive alternatives,
such as power of attorney agreements, when possible. We’ve successfully
pushed to reform state guardianship systems in Virginia, Florida, Alabama and other states.
Full Article & Source:
Adults Facing Guardianship Need Adequate Legal Representation, AARP Tells Congress
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