Corporate Guardianship
A corporate guardianship is a private non-profit corporation or an unincorporated association established to provide guardianship services for individuals, age 17 years and 9 months or older, who a court determined to be incompetent. Corporate guardianships are appointed when no suitable individual is available and willing to serve as guardian.
The Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) provides information about corporate guardianships. DQA webpages also provide information, guidance, and materials for those involved in the application process to become a corporate guardian.
Finding and Choosing Corporate Guardianship
Contact us
For questions regarding corporate guardianships, you can contact the DQA:
- Email dhsdqacguardianship@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
- Call 608-266-8481.
Complaints
The wards of corporate guardians have rights as outlined in Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 85.13. DQA approves entities to act as corporate guardians in the state of Wisconsin. If you feel that a corporate guardian is not serving in the best interest of the ward(s), or that a ward is being abused or exploited in any way, you may file a complaint.
Find out if the guardian is a corporate or non-corporate guardian. Search the Corporate Guardianship Directory by County (PDF).
Filing a complaint against a non-corporate guardian
If the guardian isn’t a corporate guardian and doesn’t appear on the Corporate Guardianship Directory, DQA doesn’t have the authority to investigate the complaint. Complaints against non-corporate guardians may be directed to one of the following:
- Adult Protective Services in the ward’s county of residence.
- Register in Probate for the county/court that ordered the guardianship.
Filing a complaint against a corporate guardian
If the guardian is an approved corporate guardian, you may file a complaint in the following ways:
- Online: Visit the DQA Complaint page
- Online: Complaint Form, F-00607
- Email: DHSDQACGuardianship@dhs.wisconsin.gov
- Phone: Call the DQA toll-free complaint hotline at 1-800-642-6552. Leave a voicemail message and the call will be returned.
- Mail: Division of Quality Assurance, P.O. Box 2969, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2969
Be prepared to provide information regarding the nature of the complaint including:
- Your name, address, and phone number so that DQA may contact you for follow up. You may request to remain anonymous; however, the investigation may be incomplete if you can’t be contacted for more information.
- The name and address of the corporate guardian.
- The name of the ward or wards who have been affected.
- The exact nature of the incident or alleged wrongdoing. Provide as much detail as possible about:
- Who was affected.
- When the incident occurred.
- Where the incident occurred.
- How the ward was affected/harmed.
- How you became aware of the incident/allegation.
- A description of the type and level of harm to the ward (physical, emotional, financial, etc.).
- Names and contact information for other parties who could provide more details about the incident/allegation.
Related topics
- Consumer Guide: Finding and Choosing Corporate Guardianship—Find a directory and other information.
- DQA Email Subscription Service