Your parents are your legal guardians until you turn 18 years of agein Alberta. On your 18th birthday, you become an independent adult with the legal right to make your own choices. As an adult, you may need help to make decisions about things that affect your life. You may need a guardian to help you. A person with a guardian is called a dependent adult. You may need a guardian if you - have a developmental disability or illness,
- cannot care for yourself most of the time,
- cannot make personal decisions most of the time.
A guardian is someone who has the legal authority and responsibility for making, or for helping you make, decisions about your personal matters.For example, your guardian may help you to choose where to live.Usually a guardian is a relative (like your mother or father) or a close friend. A guardian should know your values, likes, dislikes and concerns. Your guardian should know what is important to you.
What are some things a guardian does not do?
Your guardian is not a service provider. A guardian can help choose services for you, but does not provide services for you. Your guardian does not control you. As much as possible, your guardian works with you to help you to make your own choices. Your guardian does not make decisions about your financial matters. A trustee or a lawyer is responsible for helping you to make financial decisions. (See Trusteeship) Related Links
To learn more about guardianship in Alberta, contact the Office ofthe Public Guardian, Alberta Human Resources and Employment: www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/services_resources/opg/index.asp Parents may find the following resource useful: A Parent's Guide to Transition Planning & Persons with Development Disabilities, Central Alberta Community Board: www.pdd.org/Central/pdd.html | 
