Guardianship Monitoring and Support Initiative

What is Guardianship?

Guardianships and conservatorships are legal arrangements to protect a person's well-being or finances. The court appoints a guardian or conservator who is legally responsible to manage the affairs of a person who is unable to manage their affairs alone. Individuals who need guardianships* can include those who are physically disabled, developmentally disabled, have been seriously injured, or have progressive illnesses. Guardianships can be temporary or limited in scope, or can be lifelong with one or more people serving in the role of guardian.

Who We Are

The Guardianship Monitoring and Support Initiative (GMSI) is designed to increase the court's ability to monitor guardianships and protect vulnerable people from the risk of abuse, exploitation, or neglect as defined in RCW 74.34.020. The GMSI combines the expertise of the courts with skilled initiative staff and trained volunteers to protect the rights of adults under guardianship and ensures guardians are carrying out the responsibilities courts entrust to them.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) created the GMSI because of changes to Washington State's laws, which took effect in 2022. These laws, called the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act (UGA), change the requirements for people serving as guardians and require local courts to monitor guardianships to protect vulnerable people. The GMSI addresses only adult guardianships and does not cover guardianships for minors.