Ohio Judge Robert O. Montgomery Tries to Change Guardianship System

Franklin County Probate Judge Robert G. Montgomery has long known there were problems with the way his court handled guardianships.

Montgomery, who became the county’s probate judge in January 2011, said he was shocked to learn soon after his arrival that a handful of local lawyers serve as guardians for more than 1,000 people. Montgomery wants to end that reliance.

A guardian is appointed by the court to make decisions for a person, known as a ward, who has been declared unable to handle his or her own affairs because of age, mental illness or disability.

Guardians wield considerable power over the lives of their wards, including deciding where they live, the health care they receive and how they spend their money.

Montgomery said he has been working for more than two years to find a better way to provide guardianship services in Franklin County. That plan took a big step forward this month when he got legislative approval to create a first-of-its-kind Franklin County Guardianship Service Board, which he intends to be a collaborative effort between the court and local charities and social-services organizations.

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Judge Tries to Change Guardianship System

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