Elder Law Commons^™

Understanding The Gap Between Law And Practice: Barriers And Alternatives To Tailoring Adult Guardianship Orders, Eleanor Lanier

Scholarly Works

An overwhelming majority of state laws governing adult guardianship require an inquiry into whether less restrictive alternatives may be available/appropriate and, where guardianship is necessary, that guardianship orders be designed to maximize theindependence of the person subject to the guardianship. However, the best available data indicates that most guardianship orders are plenary," removing rights on a wholesale basis rather than individually tailoring the guardianship. To many observers, the imposition of plenary guardianship contradicts the unambiguous statutory language in most states favoring a tailored approach that implements guardianships to maximize an individual's independence and autonomy.

The literature is rife with examples …

Help Is On The Way: Senior Legal Hotlines Respond To Elder Abuse, Eleanor Crosby Lanier

Scholarly Works

Helplines are an important component of efforts to protect elders from abuse. This article describes the development of the senior legal hotline. After 20 years, these hotlines exist in at least half of the states and provide legal advice and other legal services at no cost to callers. Senior legal hotlines can provide information on financial scams, adult guardianship, advance directives, housing, medical care, and public benefits.