There are many situations in which an adult may become unable to manage his or her own affairs. In some cases, it occurs due to aging, such as when your parents get older and start showing signs of dementia. Other times, it may occur due to some other condition, such as brain damage due to an accident or issues that stem from drug addiction. In any case, when an adult can no longer take care of his or her own needs, you may be able to apply for guardianship in Colorado.
The law does make strict guidelines you must meet to show that the person needs a guardian. This is for the protection of the adult, who the law assumes has the capability to care for him or herself. The Colorado Judicial Branch explains that you must show incapacitation, which is the inability to comprehend information and make logical decisions. You must prove the person cannot take care of his or herself and that this inability puts his or her health and safety at risk.
It is important that you prove even with accommodations the person is unable to handle his or her needs. The court looks for someone whose incapacitation is life-altering because it does not want to take the power to make decisions away from an adult without good reason for doing so.
Becoming a guardian is a large responsibility. You have a lot of control over the person, so when it comes to guardianship of an adult, the court is very careful in rendering a decision. This information is for education and is not legal advice.