Welcome
Welcome to Rethinking Guardianship
North Carolina
Are you considering guardianship? Know your options. Download our brochure in either English or Spanish. Then, click below for more information about Supported Decision-Making and other alternatives to guardianship.
For stories of guardianship, Supported Decision-Making, and other alternatives to guardianship, visit our Stories page.
Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship in North Carolina
Adult guardianship is a legal process. It exists to protect our most vulnerable citizens, including people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, traumatic brain injury, youth in foster care, and vulnerable older adults. But sometimes, guardianship takes away people’s right to make the most basic decisions for themselves—such as where they will live and what they will do in the course of a day. Guardianship should be considered as a last resort — a less restrictive alternative may work best for you
Below you can find information about specific alternatives to get you started. You can use these options in place of or alongside guardianship. Click on each category to see what alternatives are available and access our guides.
Supported Decision-Making: Informal and Formal
A system of support for an individual in various areas of their life and/or A written plan identifies individuals to assist in key areas of life, such as financial, health/medical, and daily living.
Foster Care 18-21
Continued supportive and financial services for young adults aging out of foster care at age 18.
Simple Financial Tools
An account that allows another person to help pay bills and manage money. Check with your financial institution.
ABLE Account
A tax-advantaged savings account for disability expenses.
Representative Payee for Social Security Benefits
Provides financial management of Social Security benefits.
Fiduciary for Veteran’s Benefits
Provides financial management of VA pension benefits.
Living Trust
A legal arrangement for an individual who is having difficulty managing property or assets themselves.
Special Needs Trust
A legal arrangement allows an individual with a disability to preserve assets while maintaining eligibility for government benefits.
Power of Attorney (Durable/General)
A legal document giving someone the right to conduct financial business on behalf of someone else without a court order.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A legal document giving someone the right to make health care decisions on behalf of someone else.
Living Will or Advance Directive
A legal document that sets out an individual’s desires for medical care and treatment when they can no longer communicate and are near the end of life.
Advance Instruction for Mental Health Treatment
A legal document in which an individual indicates what treatment and care for mental health conditions they want if they cannot communicate their wishes.
Power of Attorney (Durable/General)
A legal document giving someone the right to conduct financial business on behalf of someone else without a court order.
Supported Decision-Making: Informal and Formal
A system of support for an individual in various areas of their life and/or A written plan identifies individuals to assist in key areas of life, such as financial, health/medical, and daily living.
Foster Care 18-21
Continued supportive and financial services for young adults aging out of foster care at age 18.
Simple Financial Tools
An account that allows another person to help pay bills and manage money. Check with your financial institution.
ABLE Account
A tax-advantaged savings account for disability expenses.
Representative Payee for Social Security Benefits
Provides financial management of Social Security benefits.
Fiduciary for Veteran’s Benefits
Provides financial management of VA pension benefits.
Living Trust
A legal arrangement for an individual who is having difficulty managing property or assets themselves.
Special Needs Trust
A legal arrangement allows an individual with a disability to preserve assets while maintaining eligibility for government benefits.
Power of Attorney (Durable/General)
A legal document giving someone the right to conduct financial business on behalf of someone else without a court order.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A legal document giving someone the right to make health care decisions on behalf of someone else.
Living Will or Advance Directive
A legal document that sets out an individual’s desires for medical care and treatment when they can no longer communicate and are near the end of life.
Advance Instruction for Mental Health Treatment
A legal document in which an individual indicates what treatment and care for mental health conditions they want if they cannot communicate their wishes.
For more information about alternatives to guardianship, visit our Resource page. For commonly asked questions about guardianship, visit our FAQ page.
Want to get more involved with Rethinking Guardianship North Carolina? Go to our Get Involved page and join us at an upcoming meeting. If you have suggestions for improvements or additional resources, please send us a note on the Contact Us page.