General Resources
CENTER FOR GUARDIANSHIP CERTIFICATION
Certification of guardians to enhance the level of competency provided by guardians.
DRUG WATCH
Comprehensive database featuring information about thousands of over-the-counter and prescription medications currently and previously on the market. Alerts concerning specific drugs are listed.
ELDER LAW ANSWERS
Resource addressing the legal needs of the elderly offering a free newsletter, radio, questions and answers, a section devoted to attorneys plus an extensive library (Elder Law 101) of key elder law topics.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Extensive and highly up-to-date information related to consumer protections and economics.
GONGWER NEWS SERVICE
Extensive resources tabs of governmental links. Provides comprehensive, accurate and timely coverage of issues in and around Michigan government and political systems. Publishes the daily Michigan Report and detailed coverage of all bills in the Legislature plus tracks activities of the Executive and the Judicial branches of government.
LEGAL HOTLINE FOR MICHIGAN SENIORS
No cost legal information for persons 60 and older, caregivers and hospice patients.
NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW CENTER
Information related to the work of the NCLC: defending the rights of low-income consumers, concentrating on working for fairness in financial services, wealth building and financial health, a stop to predatory lending and consumer fraud, and protection of basic energy and utility services for low income families. Webinars available.
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING: BENEFITS CHECKUP
Specific information on available state and federal resources for seniors in need of assistance.
NATIONAL FRAUD INFORMATION CENTER
Information on telemarketing and Internet fraud, filing complaints with applicable law enforcement agencies.
NATIONAL GUARDIANSHIP ASSOCIATION
Resources promoting the enhancement of guardian services.
NATIONAL SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION
Interested persons may sign up for a weekly update
STATE BAR OF MICHIGAN
Informative section accessible to the public plus a section on the courts with videos.
STATE OF MICHIGAN: ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
Look-up of attorneys who have been disciplined and/or reinstated (from October 1, 1978 forward). “FAQ” page, research, recent opinions and notices plus links to relevant related information.
https://www.adbmich.org/checker.htm
STATE OF MICHIGAN: LEGISLATURE
Provides flexible searches to locate and track legislation. Bills may be called up by their bill number or by using a key word search (useful in locating legislation when the bill number is unknown).
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Contains detailed information about each Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country. Permits visitors to find and compare nursing homes. Also addresses other long-term care choices such as community-based services, home care, or assisted living depending on your needs and resources. For more information, see Alternatives to Nursing Homes. The site also contains a wealth of other links/information.
U.S. POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE
Information on mail fraud, mail theft and other mail related crimes. Provides access to publications and allows filing of on line complaints.
VIDEOS
The MGA Guardianship and Conservatorship videos were produced in 2005 by the Michigan Fiduciary Project, Michigan Guardianship Association, Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, Michigan State Court Administrative Office, Kalamazoo, Kent and Washtenaw County Probate Courts, Professional Fiduciary and Consulting Services and Alicianna, LLC. It is licensed to the Michigan Guardianship Association and may not be duplicated.
The three programs feature unscripted commentary from family and public guardians, conservators plus factual narration and courtroom scenes. Josh Ard, an attorney with Howard and Howard writing for the Ingham County Bar Association wrote: “…the information content and the production quality are both excellent.”
A review of each of the three program segments follows:
Introduction to Guardianship and Conservatorship (13:30 minutes): Defines each role and presents the legal and procedural aspects of appointment along with practical, emotional and ethical issues.
Serving as Conservator (11:00 minutes): Addresses prudent decision-making regarding a ward’s property and financial affairs, with useful advice on recordkeeping, money management and reporting requirements.
Serving as Guardian (10:00 minutes): Explains the responsibilities, reporting duties and practical concerns of providing for the ward’s care, supervision and rehabilitation.