As the Jackson Free Press reports in “State Eyes Changes to Guardianship Laws,” Mississippi has appointed a task force to consider changing its requirements.
Changing guardianship laws to make elder abuse less likely is good and important work. No elderly person should have to suffer from financial or personal abuse.
However, it is also important not to rely on guardianship laws as the only way to take care of incapacitated elderly people. Everyone should get the necessary powers of attorney in place before they become incapacitated to make it less likely that a court will see the need to appoint a guardian in the first place.
An estate planning attorney can advise on these issues.