http://resources.lawinfo.com/rss/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/index.html LawInfo provides Free Virginia Estate Planning FAQs to help consumers and businesses resolve their legal issues http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/how-does-guardianship-occur.html Guardianship and conservatorship are legal relationships. Only a judge may appoint a guardian or conservator to be the decision maker for a person who has physical or mental problems that prevent him or her from making decisions. Virginia Estate Planning FAQs Fri, 30 May 2008 14:32:47 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/how-does-guardianship-occur.html http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/what-is-the-difference-between-a-guardian-and.html The court appoints a guardian to make financial and medical decisions, and the incapacitated person loses the legal right to decide. A conservator makes only financial decisions. Virginia Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/what-is-the-difference-between-a-guardian-and.html http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/when-is-it-time-to-appoint-a-guardian.html When an older person loses the ability to make decisions, then it may be time to consider appointing a legal guardian or conservator. Usually, a family member or friend is available to act in one of these roles. If no one is available to assume this responsibility, there are several programs across the state that may be of help. Virginia Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/when-is-it-time-to-appoint-a-guardian.html http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/what-is-the-virginia-public-guardianship-prog.html Virginia has a program that allows the courts to appoint a public guardianship agency as legal guardian for a person who has no one else to rely on. A legal guardian has authority to make personal and property decisions. Virginia Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/what-is-the-virginia-public-guardianship-prog.html http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/what-is-an-advance-medical-directive.html The Virginia Advance Medical Directive is your statement about the medical care you want if you have a terminal condition. Virginia Estate Planning FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/legal-faqs/estate-planning/virginia/what-is-an-advance-medical-directive.html