Petition for Guardianship Due to Abuse

A Petition for Guardianship Due to Abuse is a legal document filed with the court to request the appointment of a guardian for an elderly individual who is believed to be a victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The petition may be filed by a family member, friend, or other concerned party who believes that the elderly person is unable to make decisions or care for themselves due to the effects of the abuse. The petition typically includes evidence of the alleged abuse, such as witness statements, medical reports, or police records, and argues that guardianship is necessary to protect the elderly person’s health, safety, and well-being. If granted, the guardianship would give the appointed guardian the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the elderly person, such as where they will live, what medical care they will receive, and how their finances will be managed. Petitioning for guardianship is a serious step that is only taken when other interventions have been unsuccessful in protecting the elderly person from further harm.