Can I petition a court to appoint me or another family member as guardian if the POA is misusing authority? – North Carolina

Short Answer

Yes. In North Carolina, an interested person may file a petition with the Clerk of Superior Court to determine incapacity and request appointment of a guardian if a power of attorney is being abused and the adult cannot manage essential needs. The court must first consider less restrictive options, including court oversight or replacement of the agent under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. If guardianship is necessary, the clerk may appoint an appropriate family member.

Understanding the Problem

North Carolina families often ask whether they can involve the court when an agent under a power of attorney appears to misuse authority. The decision point is narrow: can the Clerk of Superior Court appoint a guardian when the adult’s needs are not being met and the existing power of attorney arrangement is failing? The key roles are the adult (principal), the current agent under the power of attorney, and the petitioner (a concerned relative). The trigger is suspected misuse and the adult’s diminished ability to manage personal or financial affairs.

Apply the Law

Guardianship is a court process before the Clerk of Superior Court to determine if an adult is incompetent and, if so, whether to appoint a guardian. The court uses the least restrictive approach, meaning it looks for tools that protect the adult without removing more rights than necessary. When a power of attorney exists, the court weighs whether oversight or remedies against the agent can fix the problem before appointing a guardian. The respondent must be personally served and given advance notice of the hearing; the clerk may appoint a guardian ad litem and order evaluations if needed.

Key Requirements

• Incapacity: Evidence shows the adult cannot manage personal, health-care, or financial affairs due to a condition such as dementia.
• Necessity and least restriction: Guardianship is needed because lesser measures (e.g., replacing or supervising the agent) are inadequate.
• Standing to file: Any interested person, including a family member, may petition for an incompetency determination and guardianship.
• Court forum and notice: File in the Clerk of Superior Court in the adult’s county; the adult must be personally served with at least 10 days’ notice of the hearing, and next of kin receive notice.
• Existing POA considered: The court reviews the power of attorney, the agent’s conduct, and can order accountings, suspend authority, or fashion remedies.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 35A-1105 (Petition) – Who may file, venue, and information required to start an incompetency case.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 35A-1109 (Hearing) – Hearing procedures and the clerk’s role in determining incompetence.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 32C-1-114 (Agent’s duties) – Core duties of an agent under a power of attorney, including loyalty, good faith, and recordkeeping.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 32C-1-116 (Judicial relief) – Who may ask the court to review an agent’s conduct and available remedies.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: A sibling holds financial power of attorney for a parent with early-stage dementia, and a family member believes the sibling is misusing that authority. An interested relative can petition the Clerk of Superior Court to determine incapacity and, if needed, appoint a limited or general guardian. Because a power of attorney exists, the court will look at whether targeted remedies—like ordering an accounting, suspending the agent, or replacing the agent—will protect the parent. If those remedies are insufficient and the parent cannot manage essential needs, the clerk may appoint a suitable family member as guardian.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: An interested person (such as an adult child). Where: Clerk of Superior Court in the parent’s county of residence (Special Proceedings Division). What: File AOC-SP-200 (Petition for Adjudication of Incompetence and Application for Appointment of Guardian or Limited Guardian) with supporting facts and any known power of attorney documents. When: After filing, the sheriff personally serves the parent, and the hearing is scheduled with at least 10 days’ notice.
2. The clerk appoints a guardian ad litem for the parent, notifies next of kin, and may order a multidisciplinary evaluation. Contested matters may involve discovery or mediation. Timeframes vary by county and case complexity.
3. At the hearing, the clerk decides incapacity and whether less restrictive options (like removing or supervising the agent) suffice. If guardianship is necessary, the clerk issues an order and Letters of Guardianship describing the guardian’s powers.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• If the parent still has capacity, the parent—not the court—may revoke the power of attorney; guardianship may be unnecessary.
• Courts may deny guardianship if replacing or supervising the agent under the Uniform Power of Attorney Act adequately protects the parent.
• Service or notice errors can postpone the hearing; verify proper personal service and required notices to next of kin.
• Family conflicts can lead the clerk to appoint a neutral guardian if that better serves the parent’s interests.
• Expect the court to require an accounting from the agent and, if a guardian of the estate is appointed, a bond and ongoing reports.

Talk to a Guardianship Attorney

If you’re dealing with suspected misuse of a power of attorney and need to consider guardianship, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Call us today at (919) 341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.