At one point or another, most of us will need help from someone else in regard to managing our affairs. For some of us, we might only need help temporarily as we recover from an injury or illness. In other situations, the need for assistance is permanent and much more serious. If you have a loved one who is struggling to manage their financial or health-related affairs, you might consider pursuing guardianship of that person. There are, however, a few things you need to know before you take any action in that direction.

1. Guardianship Can Only Be Granted by a Probate Court

In the state of Illinois, guardianships fall under the jurisdiction of the probate court. The court has full authority over the appointment and removal, if necessary, of adult guardianships. Unless you have been already been named in your loved one’s valid power of attorney, you cannot begin acting on your loved one’s behalf until the court says that you can.

2. The Person Must Be Disabled

Before appointing a guardian, the court must determine the person in question actually needs help due to some type of disability. In most cases, such disabilities include deteriorating physical or mental faculties, mental illness, or developmental issues. Illinois law also allows the court to find that a guardianship is necessary for an adult who has serious drug, alcohol, or gambling problems.