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Alaska Department of Administration Office of Public Advocacy

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Office of Public Advocacy

Family Guardianship

The Family Guardian Program provides information and assistance to private individuals who are, or are considering becoming, guardian or conservator for a family member or friend. 

Information

Types of Protective Appointments

Guardianship is a legal arrangement where a person or institution is appointed as a guardian to make decisions for an incapacitated person - decisions about housing, medical care, legal issues, and services.

Conservatorship is a legal arrangement where a person or institution is appointed to handle the financial affairs for another person. The conservator collects and deposits all income, pays all debts and bills, secures all assets, and handles taxes and insurance. A person appointed as guardian may also be appointed as conservator, or a separate conservator can be appointed.

General Information

Resources

References

Assistance

Contacting the Family Guardian Program

Messages regarding questions related to guardianship or conservatorship may be left at (907) 269-3525.   Messages are retrieved on a weekly basis.

You can also e-mail the Family Guardian Program at Family.Guardian@alaska.gov

Education and Classes

Introductory Guardianship Classes

The video Becoming a Guardian or Conservator in Alaska is also offered online through the Alaska Court System’s website.

Benefits 101 Class

Benefits 101 Schedule

Last Tuesday of

  • January
  • April
  • July
  • October

Begin at 3:30 PM

The Family Guardian Program also offers a “Benefits 101” class to assist family and friends who have been or will be appointed as guardians and/or conservators in navigating the often confusing application process for Social Security and Public Assistance benefits.

These classes are being offered on a quarterly basis and are approximately 1½ hours in length, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Please call the Office of Public Advocacy at (907) 269-3500 if you plan to attend.

Fairbanks Guardianship Education

In Fairbanks guardianship education is provided by the Alaska Court System.  Contact the Probate Court Clerk at (907) 452-9256 for more information.