Guardianship is a legal proceeding in county Surrogate's Court that designates a parent, relative, friend, advocate, or an organization to act on behalf of an individual with a developmental disability if that person is incapable of managing his/her own personal affairs without assistance. Guardianship provides a lifelong commitment to guide, support, step in, and provide advocacy when it is in the best interest of the person with a disability.

Guardians provide advocacy and make important life decisions for individuals with disabilities after reaching the age of maturity and continue throughout the duration of the disability.

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Guardians help individuals in:

• Planning for future needs

• Decision-making about medical care and treatment 

• Concerns about decisions made regarding quality of life (e.g. living arrangements, social, vocational and financial needs)

Guardianship allows peace of mind that there will always be someone to support their loved one, even if they themselves are no longer able to do so. The ability to appoint a standby guardian and alternate standby guardian to step into the guardian's role when that person is no longer able to act on behalf of the individual (sickness, incapacity, death, etc.) provides added comfort.​