2A. Types of Guardianship Appointments

A guardianship appointment falls into one of two categories: short-term or long-term.

Short-Term:

• Temporary
• Only emergency situations

Long-Term:

• Up to five years
• Guardians receive full or limited authority to make these decisions:
  • Legal
  • Residential 
  • Medical
  • Vocation and training
  • Education

Say you are a guardianA person appointed by the court  to make decisions in a ward's life. LEGAL DEFINITION: A person or nonprofit corporation that has qualified as a guardian of a minor or... Click or tap term for more. with medical authority. That means you can require the wardA person determined by the court to be incapacitated.  LEGAL DEFINITION: A person for whom a guardian or limited guardian has been appointed. (NDCC 30.1-26-01(6))   Click or tap term for more. to receive medical treatment and take prescription medications. But for these four procedures, you need separate Court approval:

• Abortion
• Sterilization
• Psychosurgery
• Experimental treatments (not approved by a federal institution review board)