Guardianship; Information on Court-Appointed Guardianship

If an adult is legally unable to manage his or her affairs, in whole or in part, due to an illness or disability, the guardianship court shall appoint a guardian for him or her, either upon the person’s request or on its own initiative. The guardian shall act as the person’s legal representative in matters that the person can no longer manage on his or her own.

The competent guardianship court shall appoint as guardian a natural person who is qualified to manage the affairs of the person concerned within the scope of duties determined by the court. If the person concerned wishes to have a specific individual serve as their guardian, this wish must be granted unless the desired person is unsuitable for the role. One of the duties of the guardianship authority is to support and advise guardians appointed by the guardianship court, at their request, in the performance of their duties.

In exceptional cases—namely, when the person concerned cannot be adequately cared for by either a natural person or a guardianship association—the guardianship court appoints the guardianship authority itself as the guardian. However, the guardianship authority generally serves as guardian only until a natural person suitable for the role can be found.