Discussing the complexities of and the barriers encountered in the most difficult type of adult legal guardianship.

1. F O R E N S I C G U A R D I A N S H I P S
C L A S S R O O M E D I T I O N

2. • Adjudged incapacitated
• Is at substantial risk to
commit criminal acts, or
• Has a criminal history, or
• Is incarcerated, or
• On probation / parole, or
• Under any court order(s)
2
DEFINING
FORENSIC
GUARDIANSHIP
PARAMETERS

3. FORENSIC GUARDIANSHIPS
ARE THE MOST COMPLEX
AND DIFFICULT TYPE OF
GUARDIANSHIP BECAUSE OF
THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SYSTEMS THAT THEY CAN
AND OFTEN DO ENCOUNTER
Forensic guardianships can
include the following systems:
 Law enforcement
 Criminal courts
 Family Court
 Probate Court
 Civil Courts
 Jails
 State or federal prisons
 Probation or Parole
 Sex Offender Laws
 Service Providers
 Employers
 Entitlement Programs

4. C O M M O N E X T E R N A L B A R R I E R S
4
External barriers that set guardians & wards up to fail include:
 Lack of services, programs or activities.
 Inadequate, inappropriate or non-existing laws.
 Adverse interference.
 Inadequate or inappropriate systems.
 Biases or prejudices.

5. I N H E R E N T
D A N G E R S
C A U S E B Y
E X T E R N A L
B A R R I E R S
5
Risks of external barriers
include, but are not limited
to:
 Inability of a guardian to
do his or her job.
 Abuse, neglect & disability
exploitation.
 Personal safety risks.
 Public safety risks.
 Warehousing in jail/prison.
 Internal barriers.

6. C O M M O N I N T E R N A L B A R R I E R S
6
Internal barriers that set guardians & wards up to fail include:
 Communication barriers.
 Resentment.
 Frustration or anger.
 Depression.
 Isolation or segregation.
 Lack of follow through.

7. I N H E R E N T
D A N G E R S
C A U S E B Y
I N T E R N A L
B A R R I E R S
7
Risks of internal barriers
include, but are not limited to:
 Dysfunctional guardianship
 Abuse, neglect & disability
exploitation.
 Adverse behaviors.
 Personal safety risks.
 Public safety risks.
 Warehousing in jail/prison.

8. SUCCESSFUL
FORENSIC
GUARDIANSHIPS
ARE ABSOLUTELY
POSSIBLE AND
SUSTAINABLE

9. 9
BUILDING A
SUCCESSFUL
FORENSIC
GUARDIANSHIP
IS ACHIEVABLE
Successful forensic
guardianships are
earned one day and
one hard step at a
time.
 Be realistic, open
and clear in your
expectations.
 Develop a team
effort on trust of
consistency.
 Set boundaries &
follow through to
teach individual
responsibility.
 Have a working
support system
for accountability.

10.  Believe in yourself and what
you can teach your ward.
 Believe in your ward and
what he/she can teach you.
 Learn that boundaries are
needed for growth & safety.
 Learn how to compromise
without being conned.
 Know the laws and be a
very strong advocator.
THE HARDEST THING THAT
YOU WILL HAVE TO DO IS TO
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND
WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE IN
A FORENSIC GUARDIANSHIP
OF AN ADULT WARD.