TX Senate Passes Protections for Wards in Guardianship

TX Senate Passes Protections for Wards in Guardianship


From staff reports

Published: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 1:29 PM CDT

The Texas Senate today passed Senate Bill 220, legislation authored by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) to increase protections of wards in guardianship and make it easier for families to navigate the guardianship system. The bill now goes to the House.

"Reforms in this bill will protect the civil liberties of persons who come under the state guardianship system. They also will help family members understand and follow the process," Nelson said.

Senate Bill 220:
· clarifies that wards and proposed wards may hire an attorney as long as they have capacity to contract;
· requires courts to inform family members of their right to be notified of all actions relating to a guardianship;
· clarifies that when a guardian is removed, family members can apply to serve as the ward's guardian;
. encourages the use of volunteers to assist with the state's Guardianship Services Program; and
· directs the agencies involved with this program to streamline their guardianship procedures

Please read complete article at link below:

http://www.flowermoundleader.com/articles/2011/04/21/flower_mound_leader/news/381.txt

Editor's note: Your Probate Shark will reserve judgement on Senate Bill 220.  Hopefully Texas can have more control over possible excesses than we have with our Illinois criminal element running the Probate Court of Cook County.  Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com