Standby Guardian Law and Legal Definition
A standby guardian is a person appointed to represent the person or estate, or both, of the disabled person. A standby guardian may be someone who has been appointed by the court as the person who will act as guardian of the child when the child's parents die or are no longer willing or able to make and carry out day-to-day child care decisions concerning the child. State laws governing stand-by guardians vary by state, so local laws should be consulted for specific requirements in your area. The following is an example of a state statute governing standby guardians:
Sec. 11a-3.1. Appointment of standby guardian.
(a) The guardian of a disabled person may designate in any writing, including a will, a person qualified to act under Section 11a-5 to be appointed as standby guardian of the person or estate, or both, of the disabled person.
The guardian may designate in any writing, including a will, a person qualified to act under Section 11a-5 to be appointed as successor standby guardian of the disabled person's person or estate, or both.
The designation must be witnessed by 2 or more credible witnesses at least 18 years of age, neither of whom is the person designated as the standby guardian.
The designation may be proved by any competent evidence.
If the designation is executed and attested in the same manner as a will, it shall have prima facie validity.
Prior to designating a proposed standby guardian, the guardian shall consult with the disabled person to determine the disabled person's preference as to the person who will serve as standby guardian.
The guardian shall give due consideration to the preference of the disabled person in selecting a standby guardian.
(b) Upon the filing of a petition for the appointment of a standby guardian, the court may appoint a standby guardian of the person or estate, or both, of the disabled person as the court finds to be in the best interest of the disabled person.
The court shall apply the same standards used in determining the suitability of a plenary or limited guardian in determining the suitability of a standby guardian, giving due consideration to the preference of the disabled person as to a standby guardian.
The court may not appoint the Office of State Guardian, pursuant to Section 30 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act, or a public guardian, pursuant to Section 13-5 of this Act, as a standby guardian, without the written consent of the State Guardian or public guardian or an authorized representative of the State Guardian or public guardian.
(c) The standby guardian shall take and file an oath or affirmation that the standby guardian will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of standby guardian according to law, and shall file in and have approved by the court a bond binding the standby guardian so to do, but shall not be required to file a bond until the standby guardian assumes all duties as guardian of the disabled person under Section 11a-18.2.
