by Rob Abruzzese

Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George announced the launch of the Unified Court System’s (UCS) new Guardianship in New York Resource Webpage on Tuesday. 

The website aims to provide important information about guardianships and alternatives, helping to protect vulnerable individuals from harm and exploitation.

The online resource offers comprehensive information on the guardianship process, including informational videos with subtitles in multiple languages, a glossary of commonly used terms, and links to essential resources for appointed guardians.

The creation of the Guardianship Resource Webpage was funded by a nearly $1,000,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living. Additional components of the grant include the development of a guardianship-specific module in the court system’s case management system and the creation of standard motion and order templates commonly used in guardianship cases.

The initiative aims to modernize and enhance guardianship proceedings in New York State. Partners in this endeavor include Project Guardianship and JASA. 

“Cases involving guardianship of persons who are unable to care for their personal needs or property are very serious matters,” said Chief Administrative Judge Zayas. “While guardianships should be considered a last resort, they are, in certain circumstances, necessary to protect vulnerable New Yorkers from financial exploitation or other abuse. The new website is an excellent resource, providing critical information and tools for appointed guardians, other court users, and the public at large, bringing greater understanding to this complex issue.”

First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge St. George highlighted the user-friendly nature of the site, which includes a wealth of information and links to various resources. He noted that the site is designed to help family, friends, and caregivers navigate the guardianship process and explore social services options and alternatives to guardianship.

Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina Richardson, who oversees the Office for Justice Initiatives and this grant project, commended the court system’s efforts. She emphasized that making courts more approachable for New Yorkers promotes access to justice and expressed gratitude to the judges, non-judicial personnel, and guardianship professionals involved in the project.

Kimberly George, president and CEO of Project Guardianship, expressed enthusiasm for the new resource, noting that New Yorkers have long needed a place to get clear yet detailed information on Article 81 guardianship. Donna Dougherty, JASA’s senior director of legal services for elder justice, added that the new website is an important step towards advancing equal justice for New Yorkers.

Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts Deborah Kaplan, who chairs the New York State Judicial Committee on Elder Justice, praised the new website. She noted that with a growing number of older New Yorkers, the need for guardianships is likely to increase. 

Guardianship grants a person or organization the legal authority to make decisions for someone unable to do so due to serious illness, disability, or other conditions. In New York, there are three types of guardianship: Article 81 for incapacitated adults, which tailors the guardian’s powers to the person’s needs; Article 17-A for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, granting broader decision-making powers; and guardianship of a child, for cases where parents cannot care for the child.

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New York Court System launches guardianship resource webpage