Guardianship

Applies to: Anyone who is receiving services for mental illness, a developmental disability, or substance abuse in the state of Wisconsin and has a guardian of their person and/or their estate.

NOTE:  The Wisconsin Guardianship laws have been revised and updated, effective 12/1/06. The documents listed below have been revised to reflect the law changes.

The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) site (exit DHS) has links to the new Guardianship laws, plus information on the new laws on Protective Services and Elder Abuse Reporting. Click on their link on their main page entitled, “Learn about Wisconsin’s new laws…” Then, for a comparison between the old Guardianship laws and the new ones, click on the first link under “Comparison Tables” on that page.

The CWAG site also includes the Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center.

For more information about specific issues, see:

• Guardianship authority and limitations
• Guardians ad litem (guardians for court purposes only)
• Guardian’s role in treatment decisions
• Guardian Consent for Psychotropic Medications for Developmentally Disabled Clients
• See also the page on Minors

Guardianship Basic Information

Please note that the Department of Health Services has no oversight role over a particular guardian's performance.  Any such concerns must be addressed by the county and the court where the guardian was appointed.  However, other questions about guardianship, particularly as they relate to the rights of clients, can be addressed to:

Laura O'Flanagan, State Grievance Examiner
Client Rights Office
Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street, Room 850
P.O. Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
Email: Laura.OFlanagan@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Phone: (608) 266-9369

Wisconsin Corporate Guardianships - Corporations or individuals set up to provide guardianship services for individuals who have no close family or other support systems and who need legal protection.

• Information about starting and maintaining a corporate guardianship
• Lists of Wisconsin corporate guardianships and capacities

Last Updated: February 06, 2012