Skip Maine state header navigation
Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation
Complete list of questions with answers (HTML) (Microsoft Word*) (Adobe PDF*)
When is Guardianship Necessary?
What is a Power of Attorney?
What is a Representative Payeeship?
What is a Special Needs Trust?
What is a Guardian?
What is a Ward?
Who is an incapacitated Person?
What is a Limited Guardianship?
What is a Temporary Guardianship?
What is a Conservator?
What is the relationship between a guardian and a conservator?
Who can be guardian?
Why aren't the parents automatically the guardians?
What is the difference between a public and private guardian?
What are the probate court's priorities in appointing a guardian?
What determines whether the Department of Health and Human Services becomes the Public Guardian?
Does Guardianship transfer across state lines?
What are the powers and duties of the guardian?
Does the ward retain any rights while under full guardianship?
Are there limits upon the power of the guardian over the ward?
What obligation does the guardian, public or private, have to involve the ward in decisions?
To what extent can the guardian impose his/her personal likes, dislikes values, or ideas upon the ward?
Can the guardian place the ward in a State institution?
Can a ward be placed in a State institution against the guardian's wishes?
Is the guardian legally responsible for the financial acts of the ward?
Is the guardian legally responsible for civil or criminal actions involving the ward?
How does the guardian actually handle the ward's finances?
How does guardianship affect representative pay status?
What if agencies are not providing requested or needed services?
Where and how can guardianship be requested?
Is an attorney necessary to apply for private guardianship?
Where can I get assistance about guardianship procedures?
What is a guardian ad litem?
What is a visitor?
When is a visitor and/or guardian ad litem appointed?
What does a guardian ad litem do?
What does the visitor do?
How does the role of guardian ad litem differ from that of an attorney f or the incapacitated person?
What will it cost to obtain a private guardianship?
What will it cost a relative or interested person to obtain a public guardianship?
What are the rights of parents if someone else becomes the private or public guardian of their adult child? And are these rights given up forever?
When a person is placed under guardianship is this/her permanent?
How can the initial order be changed or modified?
If there are concerns about a current guardian or about the guardianship itself, how can this be brought to the Probate Court's attention?
How can objections be made to the actions of a public or private guardian?
What should the guardian do if he/she is going to be unavailable to make decisions on behalf of the ward?
What can you do if you suspect that a ward is being abused, neglected, or exploited?
Can the guardian delegate any of his/her duties and powers to someone else?
What should be done if the guardian is unable or unwilling to fulfill his/her responsibilities as guardian?
If public guardianship is obtained for my relative or friend, what can be expected from the Department Behavioral and Development Services or the Department of Health and Human Services?
What happens if the guardian dies and the ward is in continuing need of guardianship?
How can parents' be assured that someone will act as guardian for their ward after the parent's death?
From whom can information be obtained on estate planning to assure the individual's future financial well-being?
What do I need to know if my ward becomes seriously ill?
What is an Advance Directive?
What is a Do Not Resuscitate Order?
How can guardianship be ended?
