Family & Professional Guardianship
Family and Professional Guardianship was written for the moment families realise someone they love can no longer manage their own affairs and they have no idea what comes next. In plain language, it covers the difference between family and professional guardianship, the legal responsibilities and court oversight that come with both, and the ethical duties every guardian carries. It is the book to read before you sit down with an attorney, and the one to keep close as the situation changes.
Homer L. Hartage
Author, Thought Leader, President & CEO
Decades of guardianship work shaped a body of writing devoted to memory, dignity, and the families who carry both.
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Homer L. Hartage
Author, Thought Leader, President & CEO
Decades of guardianship work shaped a body of writing devoted to memory, dignity, and the families who carry both.
Product Description
• Format: Hardcover
• Price: $49.95
• ISBN-13: 979-8988804406
• Publisher: The Hartage Foundation Inc.
• Publication date: May 1, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 336 pages
• Distributed by Ingram, available through all major book retailers
• Signed copies available on request at checkout
• US orders ship within 24 hours
• International shipping available
• 30-day returns, no questions asked
The Guardianship Book That Families and Professionals Actually Reach For
Most families do not see guardianship coming. One day the conversation shifts. A parent can no longer manage their own affairs. A medical decision cannot wait. A court date appears on the calendar. Suddenly, someone has to figure out what being a guardian actually means.
I wrote this book because in thirty years of guardianship work in Florida, I watched families walk into that responsibility without a clear map. They were not careless people. They were people who had not been given the right information at the right time. This book exists to change that.
It covers the difference between family and professional guardianship, the legal responsibilities that come with both, the ethics and court oversight that hold guardians accountable, and the moments when a family guardian needs to ask for help. Written in plain language. Built to be used more than once.
What The Guardianship Book Covers
This is a guardianship guide for people dealing with a real situation, not a textbook to read from cover to cover before anything happens.
• The difference between family guardianship and professional guardianship, and when each one fits the situation
• Guardian responsibilities across financial, medical, legal, and advocacy duties, explained in plain terms
• Court oversight, reporting requirements, and what it means to be held accountable as a guardian
• How to recognise when a family guardian is overwhelmed, and what steps to take when that happens
Grounded in Florida court-supervised practice. Useful across all US jurisdictions. You can read more about the book here.
Who This Book Is For
This Book Is For You If – You are a family member who has just been told that someone you love can no longer manage their own affairs. You are not sure what guardianship involves day to day, what the courts require, or how long the process takes. You need a starting point that is honest and does not assume a legal background.
You are a professional guardian, or you are working toward becoming one, and you want a clear reference that covers legal duties, reporting requirements, and ethical boundaries in one place. Something you can come back to when a situation gets complicated.
You are an attorney, a social worker, or a care manager. You sit across the table from families at the point when the guardianship conversation is just beginning. This is the book you hand them.
Written from Thirty Years Inside the Work
Homer L. Hartage spent three decades as a professional guardian in Florida, standing in for people who had no one else. He has sat with families in courtrooms and hospital rooms. He has managed the finances, the medical decisions, and the court filings for people whose families could not or would not step in.
He did not write this book from a distance. Every section comes from a situation he has actually faced. The questions this book answers are the questions families asked him at the beginning, when they did not yet know what they did not know. You can read Homer’s full story here.
What Readers Are Saying
“I read the book “Family & Professional Guardianship” by Homer L. Hartage and found it very helpful. He explains the complicated topic of guardianship in a clear way. He used real-life examples to illustrate different scenarios. I highly recommend this book.” – Grace Michael
“After reading this book, I have a full understanding of guardianship. This book broke down the steps for me to understand what I need to do to seek guardianship, and it provided resources on how to do it. Absolutely amazing.” – Shirley Simmons
“Homer Hartage is a man who cares about people. The book is written in clear, precise language that does not require legal knowledge. Organized in a logical, easy-to-follow format with case studies. If you need information about guardianship practices in Florida, this is the book for you.” – Naomi Cooper
“A good resource for those who want to gain a better understanding of the legal and practical issues concerning guardianship in Florida. The guide is direct and well-organized, with plenty of practical advice that should be helpful to families.” – Metauser
