Hey There
We advocate. We support. We protect. Because no one should have to navigate life alone.
About Dakota Guardianship
Dakota Guardianship is a South Dakota nonprofit that serves adults who need someone to help protect their health, safety, and well-being. When we are appointed as a guardian, we take the time to know the person behind the paperwork: what matters to them, what they enjoy, and how they want to live.
Our work includes staying connected with the people in our care, communicating with healthcare providers and care teams, helping coordinate services, and making decisions within the authority granted by the court. We visit, ask questions, follow up, and speak up when something needs attention.
We believe guardianship should be personal and respectful. A person’s voice still matters when they have a guardian. We listen to their wishes, encourage their participation in decisions, and work with families and professionals to support the best possible care.
Some situations are complicated. Our commitment is to show up, stay involved, and treat every person with dignity.
Who do we serve?
Dakota Guardianship serves vulnerable adults, seniors, veterans, and families across South Dakota. We help people in hospitals and nursing homes who have no available family or support person to advocate for them, as well as individuals whose neighbors, family members, or friends are concerned about their safety or care. We listen to the person and those who know them, take time to understand their wishes, and help determine what support may be appropriate.
What We Do
Dakota Guardianship provides court-appointed guardianship services for people who need help with decisions about their care and well-being. We get to know each person, listen to their wishes, visit them, and work with healthcare providers, facilities, and families to address their medical needs, living arrangements, and everyday quality of life. When concerns arise, we ask questions, follow up, and advocate for appropriate care. Our responsibility is to make decisions within the authority given to us by the court while treating each person with dignity and keeping their voice at the center of our work.
Your Voice Matters
Having a guardian does not erase a person’s preferences, values, or right to be heard. We take time to ask what matters to each person, listen to their wishes, and involve them in decisions as much as possible. Whether the conversation is about healthcare, where they live, or how they spend their day, we believe their voice should help guide the choices made on their behalf. Guardianship is a responsibility to support and protect someone while honoring who they are.
How Guardianship Works
Guardianship begins with a concern that someone may need help making decisions about their care or safety. A petition is filed with the court, along with information about the person’s needs. The person has an opportunity to be heard, and a judge decides whether guardianship is needed, who should serve, and what authority the guardian will have.
If Dakota Guardianship is appointed, we get to know the person, listen to their wishes, and work with their care team and others involved in their life. We make decisions within the limits of the court order, stay involved as needs change, and report to the court as required.
Step 1 | Phone Call Referral
Step 2 | Receive information regarding the individual in need
Step 3 | File a Petition with the Court
Step 4 | Court Hearing - Judge makes a decision
Step 5 | Work with care team, family, and the individual on their next steps
Step 6 | Annual Court Reporting
