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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) There is established an Office of the Public Guardian, with a Public Guardian who shall serve as follows:
(1) The guardian of last resort for the citizens of Delaware who have been determined to lack capacity to make decisions regarding their persons, their property, or both.
(2) The representative payee of last resort for Social Security benefits.
(3) The VA fiduciary of last resort for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
(b) The Public Guardian shall advocate and provide services under subsection (a) of this section, work with advocacy groups and state agencies to promote systemic reform and recommend changes in the law, procedure and policy necessary to enhance the provision of services for substituted and supported decision-making, and act as an informational resource for the public. The Public Guardian shall serve as Executive Director of the Delaware Guardianship Commission and promote the purposes of the Commission, and shall represent the Office of the Public Guardian in matters in which the appointment of the Public Guardian is sought.
(c) To bring about these goals, the Public Guardian must be an attorney duly licensed to practice law in Delaware, selected by the Governor, and shall serve for a term of 6 years from the date of swearing in.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 12. Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations § 3981. Office established; appointment - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-12-decedents-estates-and-fiduciary-relations/de-code-sect-12-3981/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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