Who else provides guardianship services?
In Utah, several private guardianship agencies serve as guardians on a fee-for-service basis. Some provide services directly, while others provide services under contracts with the State.
The Office of Public Guardian (OPG) is the Utah state agency responsible for providing public guardianship and conservatorship services to incapacitated adults. OPG serves as guardian for persons who have no one else to serve as their guardians. OPG services include:
- Information, referral, and education about guardianship
- Assessment for guardianship
- Petitioning the court for guardianship
- Alternatives to guardianship
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Protecting and advocating for the rights and interests of OPG wards
How are guardianships provided in Utah?
In most instances, close family members or friends choose to be appointed as guardian of the incapacitated person. Family members and friends are usually in the best position to make decisions for wards because of their first-hand knowledge of a ward and what a ward would want if the ward were able to make his or her own decisions.
