Guardianship is a court-ordered relationship in which a judge appoints someone to manage the healthcare, personal care, and placement decisions of an incapacitated person ("protected person"). A protected person can be a child or an adult.

 

Incapacity is defined in Oregon law as “a condition in which a person’s ability to receive and evaluate information effectively or to communicate decisions is impaired to such an extent that the person presently lacks the capacity to meet the essential requirements for the person’s physical health or safety.”

 

Guardianships assure these needs are met.