Dignity and Guardianship

Many Minnesotans quietly shoulder the responsibility of caring for adults with disabilities, and the scale of this work is enormous. Nearly 1 million adults in Minnesota—about one in five residents—serve as family caregivers, providing support to loved ones with complex medical conditions or disabilities

A lifelong caregiver came to SMRLS seeking help during one of the most overwhelming moments of her life. She had spent years providing full‑time care for her young adult family member with a severe disability, but as his needs grew, she began running into urgent barriers—housing instability, difficulty accessing benefits, and the lack of legal authority to make essential decisions on his behalf. Despite her efforts to find a third‑party guardian or county support, no workable solution emerged, and the situation continued to deteriorate.

SMRLS stepped in. Working closely with the client and the young adult’s medical and social‑service team, the SMRLS Health Legal Partnership (HLP) attorney identified the legal barriers standing in the way of stability and safety. With the care team’s support in gathering documentation, SMRLS helped the client petition for emergency guardianship to address the most urgent needs. After securing that immediate protection, the attorney continued to advocate alongside her, ultimately obtaining full general guardianship in the young adult’s best interest.

This legal intervention opened the door to long‑term stability. SMRLS provided guidance on Social Security, county benefits, savings accounts, and other supports to help the client build a sustainable future for her family member. Today, she is empowered with the legal authority and resources she needs to continue her remarkable caregiving work—ensuring her loved one’s safety, dignity, and quality of life.

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