Guardianship Services

Phoenix Counseling Center provides Guardianship Services to individuals who are alleged to be incompetent or adjudicated incompetent by the court. These services are provided for the State of North Carolina and for Gaston, Cleveland, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Wake, and Pitt Counties.

Guardianship is a legal relationship in which someone (the guardian) is authorized by the clerk of superior court to be substitute decision maker for an incompetent adult (the ward). Incompetence is determined in a court proceeding and means an adult is unable to manage his own affairs, or is unable to make important decisions.

Services Include:

               - Assessing an individual’s need for guardianship.

               - Locating the appropriate person(s) to serve as guardian(s).

               - Petitioning or assisting the individual’s family for the adjudication of incompetence and the appointment of a guardian.

               - Ongoing casework.

Responsibilities of the Guardian include:

               - Making decisions about where the individual will live.

               - Authorizing medical treatment.

               - Managing the individual’s finances.

               - Filing status reports and accountings with the court.