A guardianship of a Developmentally Disabled person basically turns over the person’s right of choice to the guardian.

There are two different types of guardianships available for a Developmentally Disabled person:

1. Partial – the court and the proposed guardian decide what affairs will need to be controlled. For example; one may need control over financial, medical, dental, and housing. In another case, it may only be medical and legal. The guardianship expires after 5 years.
 

2. Plenary – the guardian has total control over everything to do with the developmentally disabled person and there is NO expiration date.

When you apply for a DDP guardianship, here is what happens:

1. The petition is filed.
 

2. A court date is set, and an attorney is appointed to represent the alleged Developmentally Disabled Person.
 

3. All interested parties, including the alleged DDP are given a copy of the petition and a notice of hearing, telling them when and where the court date has been set.
 

4. Community Mental Health is ordered to do a report and evaluation and to present the Court with the report.
 

5. The petitioner, the alleged developmentally disabled person, the court appointed attorney and a staff member from Community Mental Health are required to come to Court on the appointed day.
 

6. The Judge will take testimony and decide what is best for the alleged DDP.


 

1092 Newell St.  PO Box 885
White Cloud, Michigan 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7270     Fax: (231) 689-7276
Email: kerrie@co.newaygo.mi.us