Guardianship and/or conservatorship may be the only option when a person is at significant risk of financial or personal harm to themselves or others, and there are no adequate alternatives available.
Alternatives may include such options as having a Representative Payee, Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care and/or Finances, or having assets in a trust managed by a trustee.
Petitioning for guardianship/conservatorship is a serious decision, and an experienced attorney can help families explore whether any alternatives to protect the vulnerable person can be put in place short of court involvement.