Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh

Guardianship of Estate

JF&CS's duties as guardian of estate include managing the ward's financial resources and affairs such as bill paying, insurance, continuation of a business, money/investment management and working with social security to ensure benefits. A ward's estate is managed exclusively for the benefit of the ward.

How We Protect the Financial Well-Being of Our Clients

• Experienced guardianship caseworkers act as surrogate decision makers, always makings decisions they believe as closely as possible reflect what the ward would have decided if he or she were capable of making the decision and maximize the independence of—and are in the "best interest" of—the ward.
• JF&CS will work with investment managers, estate lawyers or other professionals already in place, or will bring in appropriate financial professionals for estates which require substantial financial/investment expertise.
• At least once annually, JF&CS reports to the court on the ward's financial situation, including current income, principal and investments, expenditures since last report and needs provided for since last report. For individuals in our public guardianship program, additional oversight is provided by the county and state.
• The Guardianship program follows all standards set forth by the National Guardianship Association, State and County Guidelines.
• JF&CS Guardianship caseworkers are on call 24/7.
• JF&CS Guardianship caseworkers serve a diverse population and are sensitive to all religious and cultural practices.

Meet the People We Help

• Harold* and Ruth's* family members were able to care for their medical needs, but the married couple’s mental health and mental retardation got them into serious financial trouble the family felt powerless to handle.
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• JF&CS was appointed Guardian of Person and Estate for Dana*, who is mentally retarded. Dana had previously been taken advantage of by a string of legal guardians who had been appointed after her parents passed away.
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*Name changed to protect client confidentiality.

Contact Information