Guardianship for an adult is a court-authorized arrangement in which one person (the guardian) is granted legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another adult (the ward) who is unable to manage their own personal, medical, or financial affairs. This can be due to mental illness, developmental disability, dementia, brain injury, or other forms of incapacity.

In North Dakota, adult guardianship is governed by North Dakota Century Code § 30.1-28. There are two main types of guardianship:

Guardianship of the person, which allows the guardian to make decisions about healthcare, living arrangements, and daily needs.

Conservatorship, which covers financial management and control over property.

Courts in Bismarck, Minot, Williston, and Dickinson carefully evaluate guardianship petitions to ensure that they are truly in the best interest of the proposed ward. Medical evaluations, background checks, and formal hearings are often required.

At Heartland Law Office, we help families protect vulnerable adults by guiding them through the guardianship process from start to finish. We also defend individuals whose rights may be at risk due to contested or unnecessary guardianship petitions.