National Study of Guardianship Systems: Implications for Additional Research

摘要

The report is one of three reports. It focuses on the identification ofguardianship issued and questions worthy of national research. It builds on findings of the National Study of Guardianship Systems (National Study). Because of the tremendous variation in guardianship laws and practices, and the enormous difficulties posed by this study, and as a result of this first step, additional, more discrete areas in which national research was needed became apparent. The project focused on answering the following five questions: (1) who is affected by guardianship; (2) what factors trigger the filling of petitions for guardianship; (3) what is the availability, utilization and effectiveness of alternatives to guardianship; (4) what is the process for imposing guardianships; and (5) what impact does imposition of guardianship have upon individuals. Based upon these research efforts, project staff were able to draw broad conclusions about the current state of national guardianship practices, and have identified specific areas in which further study would be of great value.