Plenary guardianship is Florida's most complete form of court-ordered guardianship, giving a judge-appointed guardian control over nearly every personal and financial decision for someone found totally incapacitated. Because it strips away so many rights, courts require proof that no less restrictive option, like a power of attorney or trust, can protect the person first.
Limited guardianship is the middle ground between full plenary guardianship and no oversight at all. It transfers only the specific rights a person cannot safely exercise, while every other right stays with the ward.
Mental health guardianship in Florida is more nuanced than most families expect. Here's the honest version: how Chapter 744 works, how it differs from the Baker Act and Marchman Act, and what courts actually approve.