The Clark County Public Guardian is court appointed to provide guardianship services per Nevada Revised Statutes, Section 253. The Public Guardian's Office has the duty of caring for individuals who are legally determined to be incapable of taking care of themselves when:

• There is no family.
• Family members are ill, elderly or other circumstances prevent their effective performance as a guardian.
• Friends or family have exploited or neglected the person and would not be suitable to serve.

How is the Public Guardian Appointed on a Case?

An individual is able to request the Public Guardian serve on a case per NRS. 253.200. If the interest is for the Public Guardian to become the guardian, then a copy of a Petition and Acknowledgement of Public Guardian would need to be served on the office. Upon receipt of notice, the Public Guardian or representative will accept notice and attend the court hearing. If the court determines that a guardianship is required and that there is no one else suitable to serve then the Public Guardian will be appointed.

The majority of the individuals served by the Public Guardian have no financial resources other than Medicaid and/or County assistance. In Clark County about 25 percent of the guardianship cases the office is guardian for involve individuals who come to the attention of authorities because of financial exploitation and/or physical abuse.

Caseload 

The Public Guardian Office’s caseload fluctuates and has increased steadily with the area’s population growth. Staff oversee the affairs of over 500 guardianships and have more than 100 clients enrolled in the voluntary 60 + Representative Payeeship Program. The office’s services may include annual financial and medical status reports to the court, money management, personal services management and 24-hour emergency response services.