Court adopts 'bill of rights' for adults with guardians

Guidelines for state Supreme Court hearings were developed by stakeholders' group

by Hamilton Kahn

SANTA FE, N.M. — The legal rights of adults with guardians in New Mexico are now in writing.

This "bill of rights," developed by the Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardian Stakeholders (WINGS), will guide the state Supreme Court in all hearings involving guardianship, a news release from the Administrative Office of the Courts said.

Among 21 rights, the document gives adults with guardians the right to be treated with dignity and to take part in all decisions by the court affecting them, the release said.

WINGS was created by the court to evaluate New Mexico laws governing guardianship and conservatorship. Its members include judges, professional guardians and conservators, health care providers, attorneys, legislators and family members.

"WINGS believes the Supreme Court's adoption of this bill of rights will improve the fairness of guardianship proceedings and help both guardians and people under guardianship understand their rights and obligations," said WINGS chair and District Court Judge Lee A. Kirksey.

The next WINGS meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on June 13 at the Administrative Office of the Courts in Albuquerque. More information is available online at adultguardianship.nmcourts.gov.

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Court adopts 'bill of rights' for adults with guardians