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Legal guardian and trustee for adults
En god man eller förvaltare kan hjälpa dig som har svårt att sköta din ekonomi eller bevaka dina rättigheter.
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What does a legal guardian or trustee mean?
A legal guardian or trustee can be appointed for a person who is unable to manage their finances, rights, or personal interests on their own. The reason may be illness, mental health problems, or other similar circumstances.
The difference is that having a legal guardian is voluntary and you keep the right to make your own decisions, while trusteeship is a compulsory measure where you may lose the right to make certain decisions.
Alternatives to a legal guardian
Before a legal guardian is appointed, it must be assessed whether help can be provided in other ways. Examples include support from relatives, a power of attorney, social services, or help from a personal representative.
Legal guardian
A legal guardian is a person who helps you manage your finances, your rights, and in some cases your personal matters.
- Having a legal guardian is voluntary.
- You keep the right to make your own decisions and agreements.
- Your guardian needs your consent before acting, except for everyday household expenses.
- A legal guardian can, for example, help you pay bills, apply for benefits, and arrange service agreements.
- A legal guardian does not carry out practical tasks such as cleaning, shopping, or accompanying you to medical visits.
Trustee
Trusteeship is decided when a legal guardian is not sufficient.
- Unlike a legal guardian, trusteeship is not voluntary.
- You may completely or partly lose the right to manage your finances and enter into agreements.
- Your trustee can make decisions on your behalf without your consent.
- Because trusteeship is such a serious intervention, it may only be used when no less intrusive alternative is possible.
Legal guardian in special situations
In some situations, a legal guardian may be appointed for a limited period:
- Conflicting interests – for example, if both a guardian and the person they represent are heirs in the same estate, or if a custodian wants to give a gift to their child.
- Missing or unknown persons – for example, when an heir is missing or when the location of a beneficiary is unknown.
These decisions are made by the chief guardian committee, and the application is made through the chief guardian unit.
Who can become a legal guardian?
The chief guardian unit appoints legal guardians. The person in need of help can suggest someone to be appointed, and this will be considered in the decision.
Application and decision
To have a legal guardian or trustee appointed, a decision from the district court is always required. The municipal chief guardian committee is responsible for supervision and administration.
Costs
A legal guardian or trustee receives a fee for their assignment. The amount depends on how extensive the assignment is.
If the person who has a legal guardian or trustee has sufficient income or assets, they pay the fee themselves. Otherwise, the municipality covers the cost.
Information about fees and costs is available from the chief guardian unit.
Forms
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Contact
Citizen Service
E-mail: kommunen@boden.se
Phone: +46 921 620 00