Guardianship Act Inked In Wyoming

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead has signed a bill that might have the longest name of any legislation this year: “The Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act.” Although the bill has a complicated name, Tim Summers at A-A-R-P Wyoming explains that it aims to simplify things for people acting as legal guardians for elder relatives, or folks with disabilities, regardless of where they live. Furthermore, he says Wyoming will now recognize the legal status even if it was granted in another state.  However, Summers says there’s a sinister side to this issue, usually involving relatives who feel they haven’t been treated fairly in a will – or have a dispute about family property. That’s when they may effectively “kidnap” a grandparent.  Quoting Summers, “They might invite grandpa over for Thanksgiving in another state and they keep him there. Without that Uniform Guardianship Act, this is made much easier in Wyoming.” Summers says they’ve heard of cases where relatives have been detained in Wyoming because legal guardianships in other states weren’t recognized here. Wyoming’s new law goes into effect July first.