What we do.

What is Louisiana Guardianship Services?

Louisiana Guardianship Services, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit corporation that can act as guardian (or “curator” as it is called in Louisiana law) for adults who are incapacitated to the extent they are unable to make their own decisions.

LGSI can be given the authority to make decisions for an incapacitated adult in areas outlined by the court – personal, financial, residential, medical.

LGSI contracts with the state of Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs (GOEA) and the Louisiana Department of Health's Offices for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) and Adult & Aging Services (OAAS) to provide curators for disabled individuals without willing, able, or appropriate family members, when they determine these individuals need someone to manage their affairs.

LGSI does not file interdictions (the Louisiana term for a guardianship proceeding) on behalf of anyone. LGSI’s function is to act as curator when a court determines that there is no family member or friend that can do so. If you believe that someone should have a guardian appointed to manage his or her affairs, you must contact an attorney to file an interdiction proceeding.

Upon its appointment and the issuance of Letters of Curatorship by the clerk of court, LGSI will provide a trained curator for the incapacitated person. LGSI belongs to the National Guardianship Association, and its staff curators are trained, tested, and registered with the national Center for Guardianship Certification.

The organization was led for 28 years by Executive Director, Greg Mullowney, who served as the 2006 President of the National Guardianship Association, and has been certified as a Master Guardian by the national Center for Guardianship Certification. He was honored in 2011 by the Center for Guardianship Certification with its National Master Guardian Star Achievement Award, and also honored by the National Guardianship Association in 2016 as its first Member of the Year.

In September 2022, the board of director's was excited to welcome Jason D. Asbill, JD, as LGSI's new Executive Director. Bringing a breadth of knowledge to LGSI, Jason is an experienced attorney with 10 years of advocating for his clients through litigation, mediation and education. Jason practiced in the area of family, education and elder law. In addition to his legal experience, Jason is a proven non-profit leader having lead a fledgling national non-profit to a thriving organization. As a current elected official, Jason has a deep understanding of the legislative process and will leverage that knowledge to advocate for LGSI's advancement on the local, state, and federal level.

Guardianships

Guardianships for the Elderly (aged 60 years and over)

Interdiction, also referred to as guardianship or conservatorship, is a legal process, utilized when a person can no longer make or communicate safe or sound decisions about his/her person and/or property or has become susceptible to fraud or undue influence. Through contracts with various state agencies or on a private pay basis, LGSI provides curators/guardians for individuals without willing, able, or appropriate family members.

LGSI contracts with the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs to provide guardians (or “curators” as they are called in Louisiana law) to elderly individuals.

LGSI may also accept fee-for-service appointments, as staff time permits, to act as guardian (curator). Referrals should be made to Executive Director Jason D. Asbill at jason.asbill@laguardianship.org.

The Executive Director or agency Staff Attorney must approve all judgments before they are submitted to ensure that they will conform to the agency’s needs and allow it to act in the best interests of the interdict and will provide the courts with specific provisions that may be needed.

LGSI will provide an Oath and Letters of Curatorship upon acceptance of the guardianship. LGSI will not accept appointments that have not been discussed with it prior to the judgment. Please see Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:1031 et seq.

Guardianships for the Intellectually Disabled (aged 18 years and over)

The agency contracts with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) and its Office of Adult & Aging Services (OAAS) to provide guardians (curators) to intellectually disabled individuals who receive services from OCDD and have been approved by those specific Offices for our services. If approved by those offices, Department of Health attorneys will pursue the Interdiction.

Money Management Services

LGSI contracts with Louisiana’s Department of Health’s Office of Adult & Aging Services (Adult Protective Services) to provide money management services throughout the state to adults receiving Social Security and/or SSI benefits who have been approved by that Office for our services.

If the beneficiary agrees, or if the court has ordered it, LGSI will notify the Social Security Administration, apply to become the beneficiary’s Representative Payee and start receiving the monthly benefits on behalf of the beneficiary. The funds are placed in our Pooled Client Account under the individual’s name. LGSI will thereafter pay the beneficiary’s monthly housing expenses and utilities, and then arrange for funds to be provided as needed for personal expenses and spending money.

A local social work agency or case manager must be involved with these beneficiaries to ensure that funds are dispensed appropriately and according to the individual’s needs and abilities. LGSI will attempt to save some funds each month to cover future emergencies, medical needs, and holidays, etc.

For large expenditures, such as furniture, televisions, appliances, etc., LGSI requires that purchases be arranged in advance and invoices provided. LGSI will then arrange for payment to go directly to the vendor.

In many situations, LGSI can provide gift cards to major department stores that will allow the beneficiary to purchase household items, so long as there is a responsible person accompanying the beneficiary to ensure that the purchases are appropriate and that receipts will be provided to the agency for compliance with Social Security Administrations audits.

In addition, LGSI is responsible, as Representative Payee, to report changes in the beneficiary’s living situation, any employment income, and provide asset verification. The agency also receives Disability Update forms from the Social Security Administration that require information about the beneficiary’s medical appointments and hospitalizations.

Therefore, the social workers and case managers should keep ledgers of the beneficiary’s appointments and hospitalizations.

For Department of Health employees wishing to make a referral:

OASS Referral Form

What is an Interdiction?

Interdiction, also referred to as guardianship or conservatorship, is a legal process, utilized when a person can no longer make or communicate safe or sound decisions about his/her person and/or property or has become susceptible to fraud or undue influence. Through contracts with various state agencies or on a private pay basis, LGSI provides curators/guardians for individuals without willing, able, or appropriate family members.

Because this process removes rights from the interdicted person and transfers them to the curator or curatrix, it is important that interdiction occur only when absolutely necessary. For example, the interdicted person loses the right to vote, to enter into contracts, to marry, to determine where he or she will live, the types of medical care provided, and how his or her money is spent.

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