2026 National Conference on Guardianship

Become a Student of the Game: Mastering the “Champion’s Ear” for Elite Outcomes
Jevon Gondwe | Influential Skills

Are you ready to be a champion for those who depend on you? In the high-stakes world of guardianship, elite outcomes aren’t driven by having all the answers. They are driven by the humility to ask the right questions.

Through a dynamic and interactive approach, Jevon Gondwe introduces the Student of the Game and Champion’s Ear frameworks. Discover why the most effective advocates stay in the mindset of a student by asking the basic, fundamental questions that others overlook. In combination with the Behavior-to-Truth model, gain three micro-skills to decode unspoken challenges and identify root issues. This personal growth strategy prioritizes curiosity over ego, positioning you for success while navigating the complex landscape of health and financial decisions. Whether advocating in a courtroom or the hospital room, walk away with tangible tools to eliminate blind spots, build radical trust, and become a more powerful champion for the individuals and stakeholders you serve.

The Dirty Dozen: Twelve Practical and Ethical Traps to Avoid*
Frank R. Acuña | Acuña Regli

Legal and ethical requirements for guardians are very similar. Careful adherence to fiduciary duties is not optional. We will discuss the most common ethical pitfalls guardians face and simple, stress-free ways to avoid them.

When Help Looks Like the Enemy: How Scammers Block Intervention
LD Herrera, PhD | Social Technology and Safety Foundation

Everyone talks about how scammers persuade. Far fewer talk about how victims conceal. This session uses new anonymous survey findings to show how romance scams stay hidden, even when friends, family, or professionals are suspicious. It makes concealment behaviors visible, giving you a sharper lens for recognizing what is happening beneath the surface.

Fundamentals of Special Needs Trusts
Jim Wolverton, JD | True Link Financial, Inc.

Planning for individuals and families with disabilities requires a specialized set of tools to ensure their unique goals are met. Special needs trusts can significantly enhance a beneficiary’s quality of life, but they involve specific drafting requirements and ongoing compliance obligations that must be carefully followed. The presenter will provide a clear and accessible overview of the fundamentals of special needs trusts. He will break down complex legal and practical considerations into a straightforward, easy-to-understand presentation designed for both new and experienced professionals.

How a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Can Become a Guardian Angel
Waseem Moorad, Esq. | Kondori & Moorad, LLP
Kia Kondori, Esq. | Kondori & Moorad, LLP

During guardianship proceedings, the role of the guardian ad litem (GAL) becomes paramount in determining the future and protecting the interests of the allegedly incapacitated individual. This presentation will not only analyze how to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of a GAL, but also address the role of a GAL in other events of incapacity outside of guardianship, including tenant evictions, real estate transactions, divorce cases, and incarcerated individuals involved in criminal or immigration matters, and how such scenarios create legal and ethical obligations to all parties involved in a case.

Hospice: Perspectives from Both Sides as a Hospice Chaplain and Licensed Fiduciary*
Rev. Dr. Mark Watson, CLPF | Watson Fiduciary

With experience on all sides of the hospital experience, including as an ordained Presbyterian minister, chaplain, professional fiduciary, and loving family member, the Rev. Dr. Mark Watson, CLPF, has a unique perspective on the hospice experience. He will walk through the nuts and bolts of hospice, the benefits and potential perceived negatives, the ethical and moral dilemmas, the diverse religious/cultural perspectives and how to best be an advocate for your clients as a fiduciary/guardian.

From Overwhelm to Optimized: AI Solutions in Guardianship Work
Tracey Bowles, MA, MFT, CPM, NCG | Washoe County, NV

As caseloads grow and cases become increasingly complex, public guardians often struggle to balance meaningful client engagement with timely documentation, court reporting, and communication. This presentation highlights one public guardian’s innovative approach to integrating artificial intelligence to streamline documentation and improve reporting efficiency, ultimately reclaiming crucial minutes in the workday. It also examines the safety measures and ethical considerations that guided the program’s development as the office embraced AI to better support protected persons.

A Beginner’s Guide to Applying the Standards Based on a Family Guardian’s Experience
Cece Walker, NCC, LPC, CRC | GA Dept. of Human Services, Division of Aging Services, Adult Guardianship Program

This presentation looks at humorous and sometimes poignant lessons learned by a family guardian and relates them to NGA’s Standards of Practice in a person-focused way with real life examples. Participants will also be asked to share their lessons learned when addressing the same standards. This presentation is designed for beginners in guardianship but can also serve as a refresher for experienced guardians. Parts of Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 & 14 will be presented and discussed.

Building a Mission-Driven Guardianship Program from Scratch: Structure, Funding, and Survival
Katie Morgan, NCG, CNE | VACA, Inc.

As communities struggle to serve indigent and vulnerable adults, nonprofit guardianship programs offer a mission-driven alternative to traditional models. This session explores what it truly takes to build one from the ground up — from incorporation and board development to funding sustainability, case management systems, and ethical guardrails. Attendees will leave with a realistic roadmap, survival lessons from the field, and practical tools to design a program that balances compassion, accountability, and long-term viability.

A Practical Approach to Protecting Yourself from Litigation, and Preparing for When it is Inevitable
Frank R. Acuña | Acuña Regli

I’m being sued? For what? Some days, you wonder why you became a guardian. It seems like liability is hiding around every tree and bush. But take heart! There are simple and effective tools to identify liability traps and to avoid them. The presenter will also review the steps to take when a potential litigation situation arises.

Carrying the Weight: Compassion Fatigue, Grief, and Resilience in Guardianship
Mari Adams, MSN-Ed, RN, CHPN | Chapters Health System

Guardians carry significant responsibility for the safety, dignity, and well-being of diverse, vulnerable individuals, often facing high-stakes decisions and repeated exposure to loss. This interactive session explores the impact of cumulative stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout, offering inclusive strategies that honor different experiences and cultures. Participants will gain practical tools to build resilience, manage stress, maintain compassion, and foster sustainable caregiving while supporting professional longevity and personal well-being.

A Roadmap for Implementing Mandatory Guardian Training: From Policy to Practice
Nisa C. Subasinghe, Esq. | Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts
Ellie Rest, MS | VA Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

Mandatory guardian training empowers guardians with the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities. By standardizing education statewide, training promotes consistency, accountability, and improved outcomes for adults subject to guardianship. Join this session to learn practical steps and tools to develop, implement, and sustain a statewide program. In addition, we’ll showcase successful strategies and lessons learned from training initiatives in Virginia and Maryland.

Reducing Documentation Drain: Workflow Systems for Guardianship Agencies
Ashley Patterson, MBA | Elite Acuity, LLC

Guardianship professionals face heavy documentation demands that can slow services and increase burnout. In this interactive session, you’ll work through a real-world case study to identify workflow bottlenecks and apply simple systems that streamline reporting, reduce duplication, and improve compliance. You will leave with practical steps to organize documentation, clarify team responsibilities, and create more predictable workflows so your agency can maintain accurate records while freeing up time for higher-quality client care and decision-making.

Write It Right: Documentation That Protects You, Your Client, and Your Credibility*
Joyce McHugh, LCSW | Advocate Care Services

Documentation is not paperwork. It is your professional voice when you are not in the room. For too many guardians it gets done last, if it gets done at all. This session addresses the four documentation failures that show up repeatedly in practice and the strategies for correcting each one. Participants will examine the difference between reporting and interpreting, what cryptic notes cost you later, and how to build documentation into the workflow under real caseload pressure. The ethical framework is clear: documentation is not just legal protection. It is an act of respect for the person whose voice you carry.

Hoarding Essentials: What to Know and How to Help*
Marilyn Halpern | Aspen Care Services

Hoarding disorder is characterized by difficulty discarding, clutter that interferes with the functional use of space, and often excessive acquiring that results in marked impairment and distress. This session will review the definition and features of hoarding, and describe and illustrate the cognitive behavioral complexities and assessments. Learn treatment options for this multifaceted problem, including establishing clients’ personal goals and values skills for organizing, restructuring problematic beliefs, and more.

Small Numbers, Big Consequences: What Monthly Brokerage Statements Reveal About Fiduciary Risk
Jeremy Lau, CFA®, CFP® | Prudent Investors

Fiduciaries are held to professional standards to ensure their clients’ assets are managed prudently. This presentation shows how brokerage statements can reveal fiduciary risk by extracting key insights on performance, cash, holdings, activity, and fees. We’ll break down the structure of a brokerage statement and examine asset allocation, explicit and hidden costs, investment strategy, churning, commissions, and service arrangements. Through real-world case studies, participants will learn to spot red flags and apply best practices. The session concludes with a practical questions fiduciaries can use when reviewing statements with financial professionals.

The Body Keeps the Caseload: Addressing Secondary Trauma in Guardianship
Lucas Meyers, NCG, CLPF | Dignity Fiduciary

Guardians and fiduciaries absorb emotional weight from every case: the confusion of the person under care, the grief of families, the pressure of courts, and the cumulative burden of high stakes decisions made under uncertainty. This session names what our profession rarely discusses: secondary traumatic stress as a structural feature of guardianship work, not a personal failing. Three modalities for addressing it will be introduced: van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score framework, Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing, and the Tonglen compassion meditation. The session offers a menu of approaches, not a prescription.

The Deception of Undue Influence and Exploitation of Vulnerable Populations in Guardianship Investigations
Daniel Chavez, LMSW | El Paso County Statutory Probate Court No. 2

The presentation will provide an in-depth look at recognizing undue influence in guardianship investigations which involve exploitation of the person and of the person’s assets, finances, and/or property. Attendees will learn to recognize possible signs of undue influence and the deceptive methods and coercive behaviors used to isolate, threaten, deceive, and to exploit the free will, best interests and well-being of vulnerable populations. Case studies will be presented along with interviewing and investigative strategies on how to approach the court and present your concerns about undue influence.

The Hospital-to-Guardianship Pipeline: A Media Investigation and Finding Solutions
Charles Golbert, Esq. | Cook County Public Guardian
Tracey Bowles, MA, MFT, CPM, NCG | Washoe County, Nevada
Pamela B. Teaster, PhD, MA, MS, NREMT | Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology

The Chicago Tribune analyzed all 369 hospital-initiated guardianships in Chicago and the surrounding five counties over an 18-month period. The Tribune’s findings include people being subjected to unnecessary guardianships, plenary guardianships where a limited might have been appropriate, permanent guardianships where a temporary guardianship might have been appropriate, institutional guardians being appointed when family members were involved in the patient’s life, discharges to subpar placements, and unnecessarily expensive guardianship arrangements. Learn about the Tribune’s disturbing findings, pending legislative reforms, the problem in other jurisdictions, and a call for action.

NCG and NMG Certifications: Proven Exam Strategies
Denise Calabrese, CAE | Center for Guardianship Certification
Kristina Yann | Center for Guardianship Certification

This session will provide proven exam strategies related to preparing for and taking the National Certified Guardian (NCG) and National Master Guardian (NMG) exams. The presenters will review preparation strategies that can be used both before and during the exams. Examples will be shared of multiple choice questions (NCG exam) and essay questions (NMG exam,) with audience participation and discussion about why the answers are correct.

Considerations for International and Interstate Transfers of Guardianship
Roseanne Collison, MA, NCG, CMC | Kinsman Care Management, LLC
Adrian Mundell | Ashtons Legal LLP

This presentation will explore several case studies of persons with guardians who have moved between states and countries. We will discuss the legal process for transferring a guardianship case between states within the US or abroad. We will provide insight into considerations for placement, benefits, and resources that impact the feasibility of a move. We will identify cultural differences and how family dynamics factor into a transfer. We will also discuss practical strategies to plan for a move. Finally, we will discuss recourse if the guardianship transfer doesn’t go as planned.

Securing Financial Protection Strategies Through the Legal Petition for Guardianship
Waseem Moorad, Esq. | Kondori & Moorad, LLP
Kia Kondori, Esq. | Kondori & Moorad, LLP

This presentation will focus on the criticality of understanding how to control financial assets of an incapacitated individual at the initial legal guardianship petition stage, in order to successfully pursue governmental benefits, collaborate properly with financial institutions, liquidate assets without major legal obstacles, and properly avoid probate administration. Through a proactive approach through the court system at the onset of the legal process, this prioritization will save time and resources for the guardian, prevent disruption of future care for the incapacitated individual, and avoid potential governmental recovery of assets.

UGCOPAA Turns 10: Experiences from the Enacting States
Elizabeth Russo, JD, MPH, NCG | AARP
Benjamin Orzeske | Uniform Law Commission
Jessica Brock, JD, LLM | ABA Commission on Law and Aging

In 2027, the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act (UGCOPAA) marks its 10th anniversary. This session highlights what states have learned from adopting – or attempting to adopt – the Act, and offers practical strategies for advancing UGCOPAA in your jurisdiction. Panelists from the Uniform Law Commission, the American Bar Association, and AARP will share insights on building support, accessing resources, and generating the momentum needed to move this “gold standard” of guardianship reform forward.

From Firefighting to Prevention: Proactive Guardianship Oversight That Protects Dignity and Reduces Risk
Patricia Hanson, LPC, NCC | IKOR of Western Pennsylvania

Guardians are often handed legal authority without the infrastructure needed to proactively address emerging crisis. This session equips experienced guardians with a proactive oversight framework that bridges the gap between paperwork and lived reality. Through case studies involving exploitation, caregiver collapse, dementia-related decline, and unsafe transitions, participants will learn practical strategies to protect dignity, stability, and quality of life before emergencies erupt.

Data-Driven Guardianship: Building a Case Acuity Scale in Maricopa County, AZ
Heidi Ernst, Esq., NMG | Maricopa County Public Fiduciary

Public guardianship systems face a shared challenge: balancing protection, autonomy, and sustainable caseloads. In Arizona’s county-based system, Maricopa County Public Fiduciary (MCPF) serves as guardian for more than 2,100 adults. In 2021, MCPF partnered with the MC Department of Public Health to develop Arizona’s first evidence-based adult guardianship case acuity scale. Using six years of case data and LASSO regression modeling, the tool predicts categorized case management time, based on objective factors. It is now embedded in case management software to guide equitable workload allocation – without additional funding. The ethical implications of shifting to a data-driven approach will be discussed.

Show Me the Money!
Michelle Poss, Esq.

This presentation offers guardians concise information and resources to help locate and claim assets and benefits for clients such as Social Security and Veteran’s benefits, public benefits and unclaimed property. The presentation will address difficult situations encountered by guardians when seeking to obtain federal tax refunds and U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Pensions. The presentation will cover situations in which there may be a need to obtain a specific court order, corporate resolution or Medallion Signature Guarantee to access and obtain assets or benefits.

The Value of State Investment in Guardianship Reform Initiatives
Jamie Majerus, CPA, CFE, CIA | Minnesota Judicial Branch
Sara Planthaber, JD, MSW | Administration for Community Living
Nisa C. Subasinghe, Esq. | Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts

State-level guardianship reform initiatives can feel daunting, but the improved outcomes for individuals with guardians, or proposed for guardianship, justify the investment. Representatives from the Administration for Community Living, Maryland, and Minnesota will provide an overview of the Grants to Highest State Courts to Improve Guardianship, a federal funding opportunity dedicated to supporting state guardianship reforms, and projects related to guardian education and monitoring. The session will conclude with sharing project “lessons learned” (positive and negative) and strategies for approaching guardianship reform projects across the country.

Highlights of the 2025-2026 Legal & Legislative Review: Updates Guardians Need to Know
Elizabeth Moran, JD | The Arc of Colorado

Laws are evolving—are you keeping up? You don’t need a legal background to stay informed. Join two of our Legal and Legislative Review experts for a look at some of the most impactful legal decisions and new legislation from the past year. This session provides an easy-to-understand review, highlighting some of the recent legal decisions and legislation, with a focus on how these changes may affect your responsibilities and practice as a guardian.

Note: This session will discuss material presented at Saturday’s full-day Legal and Legislative Review intensive. Participants who attend that session and submit codes for credit will not receive credit for attending this session.

Professional Guardianships and Co-Guardians: Ethical Tensions in Autonomy, Conflict, and Fiduciary Duty
Tawanda Y. Sanders-Williams | Cultivation Enrichment and Growth, LLC

Family members who serve as co-guardians navigate complex emotional, legal, and ethical terrain. This session explores the lived realities behind shared decision-making, highlighting tensions between autonomy and protection, fiduciary responsibility, and family loyalty. Through case examples and ethical frameworks, participants will examine conflict resolution, duty of care, substituted judgment, and best-interest standards to strengthen ethical practice and promote person-centered guardianship within family systems.

Beyond Legal Authority: Communication Strategies for Working Effectively with Older Adults
Kelly O’Connor, MA, CSA | Society of Certified Senior Advisors
Kerri Donnelly, CDP, CSA | Montcare

While guardians have legal authority, many still face resistance. This interactive session, led by Certified Senior Advisors, provides practical communication strategies to help guardians build trust, reduce conflict, and work more effectively with older adults. Beyond legal and fiduciary training, complex situations demand specialized skills to address loss of independence, grief, fear, and major life transitions. Through discussion, small-group exercises, and case-based learning, participants will gain tools to strengthen relationships, support dignity, improve outcomes, and promote long-term effectiveness while reducing conflict and preventing professional burnout.

Abuse, Violence, and Exploitation in Later Life
Robert Campbell, M.Ed. | Administrative Offices of PA Courts
Lindy Keefe | PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence

This session equips guardians and other caregivers to spot signs of abuse. Crimes against older adults are on the rise, including physical and emotional abuse, domestic and intimate partner violence, and scams and financial exploitation. By taking a hard look at this unpleasant topic (what it is, how to spot it, and how to get help and seek justice for victims) guardians and caregivers can ultimately keep the people under their care safer, happier, and healthier.

Ethics in Action: Navigating Family Conflict Through Assessment, Intervention, and Eldercaring Coordination
Linda Fieldstone, M.Ed. | Association for Conflict Resolution
Sue Bronson, LCSW | Association for Conflict Resolution

Not all eldercare family conflicts are alike. This session introduces the Eldercaring Conflict Checklist (ECC) and Eldercaring Coordination, an innovative dispute resolution process designed to address complex older family member conflict. Participants will gain practical, ethically grounded tools to align interventions to dynamics typology and conflict levels, and to make informed decisions that support family stability and protect the rights and well-being of older adults. Emphasis will be placed on elevating the older adult’s voice, preserving autonomy, strengthening family collaboration, and applying the least restrictive approaches possible.

Connect with Colleagues and Grow in Your Role
J.J. Mesko-Kimmich, M.Ed., LPCC | Positive Change Counseling & Consulting

Building and maintaining supportive social connections can improve emotional well-being, allowing guardians to better serve their clients. Learn about the negative impacts of isolation and gain ideas to build and maintain supportive social and professional connections. This interactive session incorporates guided networking activities with your fellow conference participants that promote professional collaboration, strengthen communication skills, and foster peer learning.

Judges’ Panel
Hon. Mark Kleinschmidt | Clerk of Superior Court and Judge of Probate, Orange County, NC
Hon. Lois Murphy | Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, PA
Hon. Patrick Woodward | Appellate Court of Maryland
Hon. Sarah Harris | Bibb County Probate Court, GA
Moderated by Lisa Wawrzonek | President, National Guardianship Association

In this session, a panel of probate judges from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia will discuss the challenges facing the probate courts today, the opportunities to improve guardianship practice locally and nationally, and best practices guardians and attorneys can use to support their clients. The discussion will include questions from our moderator and participants to extract insight into the workings of a probate court.

Intention Before Impact
Dr. Sharon S. Lewis | The BE LED Group

The most experienced guardians master the decisions. The best ones master the delivery. “Intention Before Impact” is a practical communication framework built specifically for guardianship’s most demanding conversations: resistant families, reluctant clients, difficult feedback, and high-stakes decisions that cannot be undone. Participants will learn and practice a three-question planning tool, develop strategies for when communication gaps emerge in real time, and leave with a personalized plan for an actual conversation on their calendar.