The Two Events That Trigger Notification
Guardianship sometimes creates distance between a ward and their family. This statute ensures that family members stay informed about the most critical events in a ward's life: extended hospitalization and death.
A guardian shall notify the family members of an adult ward if either of the following occurs: 1. The adult ward is admitted to a hospital for a period of more than three days. 2. The adult ward dies. This notification shall include information about any known funeral arrangements and the place of burial.
A.R.S. § 14-5317(A)The three-day threshold for hospitalization is significant. Brief visits for routine care or minor procedures do not trigger the notice requirement. But when a ward is admitted for an extended stay, family members have a right to know.
Who Qualifies as a Family Member
The statute defines "family members" specifically. The guardian must notify the ward's spouse, parents, adult siblings, and all adult children, provided they are interested parties in the court record. If none of those individuals can be reached, the guardian must notify at least one of the ward's closest adult relatives, or a person with a significant relationship to the ward.
Anyone who has filed a demand for notice with the court is also entitled to receive these notifications, regardless of their relationship to the ward.
This statute reflects a simple but important principle: guardianship should not sever a ward's family connections. Even when someone else is making daily care decisions, the people who care about the ward deserve to know when something serious happens. For families considering a guardianship or those already involved in one, understanding these notification requirements helps everyone stay informed and engaged.
