3064 Signature Format | PUBLIC-GUARDIANSHIP-5800-MANUAL
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Georgia Division of Aging Services |
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Chapter: |
3000 Case Management |
Effective Date: |
06/30/2023 |
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Section Title: |
Signature Format |
Reviewed or Updated in: |
MT 2023-03 |
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Section Number: |
3064 |
Previous Update: |
MT 2023-01 |
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Policy Statement
Public Guardianship Office staff will sign forms as a representative of the Department of Human Services as Guardian in a consistent manner.
Legal Basis and Requirements
The Department of Human Services (DHS) serves as guardian of last resort when appointed pursuant to O.C.G.A §29-4-3(b.1), and a representative of the Department carries out the duties of the guardian.
These duties include decision-making regarding the person’s support, care, education, health and welfare (O.C.G.A. §29-4-22).
The person under guardianship is no longer legally able to contract on his or her own behalf, therefore, paperwork associated with these decisions will require the signature of the guardian. Common examples of such paperwork that will need to be signed include paperwork at the doctor’s office as well as paperwork regarding Social Security benefits.
Procedures
The following signature format shall be used by PGO staff when signing paperwork as representative for DHS as guardian on behalf of persons under guardianship:
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Signature Line: Georgia Department of Human Services as Guardian Staff must not place their name and signature on the signature line.
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Above or below Signature Line: PGO Staff Name, Department of Human Services Representative
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The above may be abbreviated as:
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Signature Line: GA Dept. of Human Services as Guardian
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Above or below Signature Line: PGO Staff Name, DHS Rep.
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As any DHS staff is authorized to act on behalf of DHS in guardianship matters, staff signing the paperwork will insert their individual name in the “PGO Staff Name” area.
The above handwritten signature format may be replaced by a signature stamp provided by the PGO Office. In using the stamp, staff will only need to sign their name on the line provided by the stamp as all other information is included on the stamp.