Utah Code Section 75-5-312 governs your responsibility as guardian. Generally, you have the responsibility of a parent for a minor. If the court does not appoint a separate conservator, you also have some of the conservator's responsibilities. Unless your authority is limited by the appointment order, you:
A separately appointed conservator has most of the responsibility for money and property. Discuss with the conservator your respective responsibilities so that both of you clearly understand them.
If the court has appointed a separate conservator, you have the right to receive from the conservator reasonable sums for your ward's daily living expenses. This might be in the form of an allowance to you as guardian to pay third persons, or the conservator might pay third persons directly. Utah Code Section 75-5-312. Discuss this with the conservator to agree upon the amount, method and timing of regular payments and of any extraordinary expenses.
As guardian, you may not:
(a) Decision making guidelines.
Encourage your ward's maximum self-reliance and independence. Involve your ward in making decisions, and allow your ward to make as many decisions as possible. One guide to help you is known as "the least restrictive alternative." This means that, to preserve your ward's independence to the fullest extent possible, you and your ward choose the alternative that will least restrict your ward's freedom.
As guardian, you help your ward make personal decisions or, if necessary, you make the decisions for your ward. If your ward is unable to communicate, try to reach the decision that your ward would have made if able to choose. It is what the ward would do, not you, that serves as your guide, as long as the decision is in your ward's best interest.
(b) Health care.
If your ward has appointed a health care agent in an advance health care directive, that person makes health care decisions for your ward, including decisions about end-of-life. Otherwise, these decisions are yours. Work closely with your ward's doctor or other healthcare providers. You may be asked to give consent to medical treatment. Obtain as much information as you can about your ward's preferences. You can do this by asking your ward directly. If your ward is unable to communicate and has advance medical directives, like a living will or advance health care directive, then you should use those directives to guide your decision. If such documents are not available, speak with your ward's family and friends about his or her medical treatment preferences. If no information about medical treatment preference is available, consider the beliefs of your ward's religion.
Ask questions regarding medical alternatives and the benefits and risks of a proposed treatment. If a proposed surgical procedure or drug therapy is controversial, ask for the court's permission before you authorize treatment.
(c) Living arrangements.
If possible, keep your ward living at his or her own home. Services may be available to provide meals, transportation, or in-home assistance. If your ward is no longer safe at home, it may be necessary to move him or her to a more protected setting. Consult your ward's doctor and other professionals for recommendations concerning placement in a facility that will best meet your ward's needs. Following placement, regularly visit your ward and consult with staff to ensure that your ward's needs are met. Your ward may live with you, your spouse, your parents or your children, but you are not permitted to charge your ward's estate for the cost of room and board unless you get permission from the court or from a separate conservator. Utah Code Section 75-5-312(2) and (3). Regardless of the living situation, you are responsible to ensure that your ward is safe, comfortable, and receiving healthcare, nutrition, grooming, and recreation.