Texas Guardianship Reform

A person who is placed under guardianship loses civil rights, personal decision-making power, and the authority to control their own money and assets. Those rights and powers are entrusted to a guardian to protect the person from exploitation– but this arrangement leaves the person under guardianship vulnerable to exploitation if not properly monitored. For this reason, statutorily-required processes have been put in place to protect incapacitated persons who may be placed under guardianship – starting with an assessment of whether guardianship is necessary or whether an alternative to guardianship is a viable option. Laws are also in place requiring guardians to be bonded, to be registered, to report yearly to the court on the personal and financial position of persons under their care, and to obtain permission from the court before making major decisions in the life or financial management of a person in their care.

• Report on Texas Guardianship Reform