Appoint volunteer supervisors

The guardianship court can set up legal guardianship for an adult in need of assistance who is unable to manage all or part of their own affairs due to illness or disability. The guardian can act on behalf of the person in need of support in areas determined by the guardianship court, so-called areas of responsibility, and also represent them legally. These include, for example, administrative matters (applications), property care, health care or housing and care home matters.

The term "legal care" does not mean that the caregiver has to provide actual assistance to the person concerned, e.g. with care or housekeeping. Legal care primarily means supporting the person concerned in legally managing their own affairs, i.e. supporting them in commissioning actual assistance themselves. The guardian may only make use of their power of representation - e.g. to organize this assistance - if this is necessary. The will and wishes of the person in need of support must always be complied with, unless their implementation would significantly endanger them or their assets or is unreasonable for the guardian.

At certain intervals, every guardian reports to the guardianship court on their work for the person being cared for and their personal situation.

If you provide voluntary care, you will not receive any remuneration. However, you can request reimbursement of expenses or claim an annual expense allowance instead.

Personal suitability and reliability are prerequisites for acting as a volunteer guardian. Before being appointed, all volunteer guardians must submit information from the Central Debtor Register and a certificate of good conduct - free of charge for the volunteer applicant - to the responsible local guardianship authority, which proposes suitable guardians to the guardianship court, in order to establish their personal suitability and reliability.

The law distinguishes between a volunteer guardian who has no family relationship or personal connection to the person concerned (known as a "third-party guardian") and a volunteer guardian with a family relationship or personal connection to the person concerned (known as a "family guardian"). Voluntary "third-party carers" are generally only appointed by the guardianship court if they have concluded an agreement with a recognized guardianship association to provide support and assistance.

This is not mandatory for "family caregivers", but the conclusion of such an agreement is possible and recommended. The conclusion of such an agreement brings considerable advantages for the volunteer caregivers as well as for the people they care for, because it guarantees constant competent advice and support from experienced professionals.

After being appointed as a guardian by the guardianship court, you will receive a guardian's identity card. On this occasion, the guardianship court will inform you about your associated tasks and duties. You can also contact the guardianship court later with questions about your work.