RULE 5.906. LETTERS OF GUARDIAN ADVOCACY

FORM LETTERS OF GUARDIAN ADVOCACY

In the Circuit Court of the
Judicial
Circuit,
in and for
County, Florida

Probate Division
Case No.
In Re: Guardian Advocacy of


Respondent’s Name
Person with Developmental Disability



LETTERS OF GUARDIAN ADVOCATE (CO-GUARDIAN
ADVOCATES) OF THE PERSON

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

WHEREAS, .....(guardian advocate’s name(s))..... has/have been
appointed guardian advocate(s) of the person of .....(the ward)....., a person with
a developmental disability who lacks the decision-making capacity to do some
of the tasks necessary to take care of the ward’s person; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, the undersigned, declare that .....(guardian
advocate’s name(s))..... is/are duly qualified under the laws of the State of
Florida to act as guardian advocate of the person of .....(the ward)...., with full
power to exercise the following powers and duties on behalf of the person with
a developmental disability:

( ) 1. to apply for government benefits;

( ) 2. to determine residency;

( ) 3. to consent to medical and mental health treatment;

( ) 4. to make decisions about social environment and social
aspects of life;
( ) 5. to make decisions regarding education; and

( ) 6. to bring an independent action for support.

Without first obtaining specific authority from the court, under sections
744.3215(4) and 744.3725, Florida Statutes, the guardian advocate (co-
guardian advocates) may not:

a. commit the respondent to a facility, institution, or licensed
service provider without formal placement proceedings under Chapter 393,
Florida Statutes;

b. consent to the participation of the respondent in any
experimental biomedical or behavior procedure, exam, study, or research;

c. consent to the performance of sterilization or abortion
procedure on the respondent;

d. consent to termination of life support systems provided for
the respondent;

e. initiate a petition for dissolution of marriage for the ward; or

f. exercise any authority over any health care surrogate
appointment by a valid advance directive executed by the disabled person,
under Chapter 765, Florida Statutes, except on further order of this court.

The respondent retains all legal rights except those that are specifically
granted to the guardian advocate (co-guardian advocates) under court order.

ORDERED this .....(date)......


Judge