When an adult is judged by the Probate Court to be incapable of making informed decisions about health care, residence, finances or association, a guardian will be appointed unless there are less restrictive measures that have been or can be put in place. Incapacity or impairment of an individual is assessed by healthcare providers and documented in a form called the Decision Making Assessment Tool (DMAT). The DMAT and a Petition for Guardianship are filed with the probate court requesting that a guardian be appointed over the person and/or estate.
