A Guardian or a Conservator is a court appointed decision maker to care for and protect the rights of the clients including the prevention of abuse, exploitation, or self-neglect. A Guardian can make decisions regarding the personal affairs including medical, health, and residential for someone who cannot make these types of decisions because of an injury, illness, or disability. - Determining where the client lives and to make sure that his or her needs are being met including their care, comfort, and maintenance needs - Taking reasonable care of and safeguarding the client's personal property - Consenting to and monitoring medical treatment while keeping forefront the wishes of the client. This often includes accompanying the client to medical and/or therapy appointments. - Advocating on behalf of the client for housing/living arrangements, employment and/or training. This is done while maximizing the client's independence in the least restrictive manner. - Ensuring and applying on behalf of the ward for any assistance or benefits he or she is entitled to including Social Security, Veterans benefits, Medicare, and/or Medical Assistance A Conservator can make decisions regarding the financial affairs of a person who cannot make these types of decisions because of an injury, illness, or disability. - Paying reasonable charges for the support, maintenance, and/or the education of the client - The duty to pay lawful debts out of the client's estate - The duty to manage the estate and collect all debts and claims in favor of the client - The authority to approve or withhold approval of any contract except for necessities - Applying on the behalf of the client for assistance, services, or benefits available, including Social Security, Veterans benefits, Medicare, and/or Medical Assistance - The power to revoke durable power of attorney

- Provides guardianship or conservatorship for vulnerable adults and children in Beltrami County - Fees vary from case to case

LSS Guardianship Option services include: Guardianship or Conservatorship: Manages the health and care of incapacitated individuals in the least restrictive manner possible and advocates in their best interest. Guardians and Conservators are appointed by the court. If an individual has no family or friends to assume the responsibility, LSS my be appointed. LSS staff gather information from individuals, caregivers and medical personnel to make medical and care decisions. Personal Representative of the Estate: Following court appointment, LSS completes probate requirements and handles disposition of assets according to the individual's wishes. Power of Attorney: Through a legally executed power of attorney, LSS is authorized to assist individuals in managing income and assets. Services may include check writing, checkbook balancing, assistance with financial and medical forms, assistance with retrofitting, maintenance, preparation for sale, the sale or purchase of property. Pooled Trust: Protects the public benefits of people with disabilities of any age while maintaining resources that will be available for their special or supplemental needs. The creation of a pooled trust moves assets from being countable for purposes of Medicaid and Social Security eligibility to being non-countable assets. Care Coordinator: Partners in decision making with individuals who may be alone and who may need help with contracting of repairs or services in the home, scheduling of appointments and making payments to providers.

Services include: - Care Coordinator: Partners in decision-making with individuals who may be alone and who may need help with contracting repairs or services in the home, scheduling appointments, and making payments to providers - Guardianship or Conservatorship: Manages the health and care of incapacitated individuals in the least restrictive manner possible and advocates in their best interest. Guardians and Conservators are appointed by the court. If an individual has no family or friends to assume the responsibility, LSS may be appointed. LSS staff gather information from individuals, caregivers, and medical personnel to make medical and care decisions. - Personal Representative of the Estate: Following court appointment, LSS completes probate requirements and handles the disposition of assets according to the individual's wishes - Pooled Trust: Protects the public benefits of people with disabilities of any age while maintaining resources that will be available for their special or supplemental needs. The creation of a pooled trust moves assets from being countable for purposes of Medicaid and Social Security eligibility to being non-countable assets. - Power of Attorney: Through a legally executed power of attorney, LSS is authorized to assist individuals in managing income and assets. Services may include check writing, checkbook balancing, assistance with financial and medical forms, assistance with retrofitting, maintenance, preparation for sale, the sale or purchase of property.

LSS serves as a personal representative for estates. - Serves as court-appointed Guardian or Conservator providing surrogate decision making for individuals who are not able to make or communicate the decisions necessary to see that their needs are met. - Guardians work with a team of community professionals to represent each client's best interest and advocate for meeting needs in the least restrictive manner possible. - Also may provide assistance in managing finances by serving as Power of Attorney when appropriate. - Serves as Personal Representative of Estates, handling disposition of assets according to the individual's wishes. - Also offers a Special Needs Pooled Trust allowing beneficiaries to set aside money for expenses that may not be covered under government programs.

For vulnerable adults who can no longer make the decisions necessary to care for themselves of their finances, and who have no family or friends available to do it for them. These persons may include people with developmental or acquired disabilities, people with mental illness, or the frail elderly. As the court-appointed guardian/conservator, LSS is given the legal responsibility for managing the personal & financial affairs of these incapacitated individuals. Responsibilities (dependent upon court order) include: - Establish place of residence - Determine & provide for care needs - Care for personal property - Consent to necessary medical or other professional care - Approve or withhold approval of contracts - Pay reasonable charges for support of the client - Pay debts - Possess and manage the estate, collect debts and claims due the client, and invest funds

Provides guardian and estate services to help individuals with their legal, medical, and financial affairs. Guardianship and Conservatorship: - Guardians are appointed to help individuals manage their living situation, health needs, and/or financial affairs. Guardians work with medical, social providers, and caregivers to ensure essential care for the individual. - Conservators are appointed to manage and preserve assets of the protected individual. Conservators secures assets, pays bills, and manages the individual's financial, real estate, and other assets. Health Care Agent: - Health care agents decide how to handle unanticipated medical situations if individuals are unable to communicate their needs. A health care directive may be completed by the health care agent to guide medical decisions on behalf of the individual. Personal Representative of the Estate: - A person or organization an individual chooses to settle their estate and carry out requests outlined in their will, wishes, and directives. Pooled Trust Services: - A financial investment tool used to preserve funds that enhance the quality of life for individuals living with a disability. Establishing a pooled trust can help protect eligibility for public benefits while still maintaining assets from other sources. Power of Attorney: - A written agreement that allows a person or organization an individual chooses to manage their legal and financial affairs. Services can be one-time specific such as handling the sale of a property, paying bills, balancing financial accounts, or preparing forms. Supported Decision Making: - A model of care for individuals with cognitive impairment that provides decision-making support to prevent unnecessary guardianship or to help support a restoration of rights for individuals already under guardianship. Decision-making support includes employment, finance, health care, legal matters, living arrangements, and relationships.

Utilizes substitutive decision-making and, as necessary, decisions are made in the best interest of the protected person. Health care agents make medical decisions for individuals based on their health care directives when they become unable to communicate their wishes.

As court-appointed guardian/conservator, Lutheran Social Service (LSS) has responsibility for managing the affairs of incapacitated adults, advocating in their best interest, and ensuring that client's needs are met.