Office of the Public Guardian
Broward County

 

What is a Public Guardian?

Public Guardians are provided by the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs and act as a legal guardian for incapacitated individuals who lack a willing and qualified family member or friend to serve as their guardian and who do not have adequate income or assets for compensation of a private guardian. The Public Guardian is the “guardian of last resort.” Limited Guardian The court has removed only certain rights of the Ward and a guardian has been appointed by the court to exercise specific legal rights and powers of the Ward regarding the Ward’s person and/or property.

 

Types of Guardianship

Plenary Guardian

The court has removed all rights of the Ward and a guardian has been appointed by the court to exercise ALL delegable legal rights and powers of the Ward regarding the Ward’s person and/or property.

Limited Guardian

The court has removed only certain rights of the Ward and a guardian has been appointed by the court to exercise specific legal rights and powers of the Ward regarding the Ward’s person and/or property.

 

Criteria for Public Guardianship

• The alleged Incapacitated Person, physically and/or cognitively, cannot care for themselves, or manage their affairs.
• There are no family/friends willing or able to act as guardians.
• Asset and income information available indicates individual is of limited financial means therefore, unable to pay for a professional guardian.
• No reasonable alternatives exist that are less restrictive than the type of guardianship sought.
• The Alleged Incapacitated Person must be a resident of Broward County.