Adult guardianship evaluations
Capacity evaluations for families and attorneys navigating the guardianship process.
Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings often require a formal psychological evaluation of the person whose capacity is at question. These evaluations are ordered or arranged to provide the court with objective, clinically grounded findings about an individual's current cognitive and psychological functioning, their capacity to manage personal or financial decisions, and their overall support needs.
Encore Psychology conducts guardianship evaluations for adults and, where applicable, individuals with developmental disabilities. Evaluations are performed by Dr. Brooke Colman, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and part of Michigan Healthcare Professionals (MHP).
Purpose of a guardianship evaluation
A guardianship evaluation is a neutral, court-relevant professional assessment. It does not advocate for or against a particular outcome in the proceeding. It provides the court with documented findings on:
- Current cognitive functioning, including memory, reasoning, and executive function
- The individual's ability to understand and make decisions regarding personal care, finances, or both
- The degree to which any identified conditions affect independent functioning
- Relevant clinical history and current presentation
The evaluating clinician's role is to provide accurate, defensible professional findings. Dr. Colman approaches these evaluations with that standard in mind.
Who typically refers
Guardianship evaluations are most commonly arranged through:
- Attorneys representing the petitioner or the proposed ward
- The court, through a formal order
- Family members acting in consultation with legal counsel
- Adult protective services or other agencies
Self-referrals are also accepted where not otherwise restricted by the proceeding.
What's included
A guardianship evaluation at Encore typically includes:
- An initial conversation with the petitioning family member or attorney to understand the specific guardianship question
- Clinical interviewing with the proposed protected person, conducted respectfully and at their pace, covering relevant cognitive, mental-health, medical, and functional history
- Cognitive and functional assessment appropriate to the question, typically including measures of memory, executive function, decision-making capacity, and adaptive functioning
- Collateral information review with the family member's or attorney's coordination, medical records, prior evaluations, current treatment notes
- A comprehensive written report in the format Michigan courts and attorneys expect, including a clear opinion on capacity domains relevant to guardianship
After testing is complete, Dr. Colman meets with the evaluatee (and with caregivers or legal representatives where appropriate) for a feedback session before the report is finalized.
The report is formatted to support the court process. Recommendations are written to be clear, specific, and clinically grounded.
What to expect
Initial consultation
with the petitioning party or attorney to understand the question
Evaluation intake session (~50 min)
with the proposed protected person, family, or both as appropriate
Evaluation sessions (1-2 sessions)
Collateral records review
Written report (5-10 business days private pay; 6 to 8 weeks insurance)
Coordination with court or attorney
as needed
A 48-hour expedited turnaround is available when a court date or filing deadline requires it.
Where the evaluation happens
Guardianship evaluations are typically conducted in person at our Bloomfield Hills office. In-person assessment is important for capacity evaluations, the clinical observation that's part of the evaluation is harder to do well on a screen, and the proposed protected person's comfort with the process matters.
In some cases, accommodation can be made for home-based evaluation when the proposed protected person cannot travel, discuss with our team.
Cost and timeline
Encore Psychology accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Blue Care Network (BCN), and Priority Health. We do not accept Medicaid. Private pay is available. Coverage for guardianship evaluations varies by plan; contact us to verify your specific benefits before scheduling.
Superbills are available on request for clients seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Fees for guardianship evaluations vary by scope and are confirmed at your intake session. See our fees and insurance page for an overview.
Report turnaround is typically 5 to 10 business days for private-pay clients. Insurance turnaround (BCBS, BCN, Priority Health) is 6 to 8 weeks. An expedited 48-hour turnaround is available to private-pay clients for an additional fee.
The time from initial contact to first appointment is typically around six weeks. If a court deadline applies, please note that when you reach out.
Guardianship evaluation at Encore is led by Dr. Brooke Colman, PsyD, LP. Guardianship has been a recurring part of her clinical work and she's experienced with Michigan probate-court expectations and the formats attorneys and judges find most useful.
Learn more about Dr. Colman →Related services
- Concerned about memory or cognitive changes outside a court proceeding? See Memory and Cognitive Concerns.
- Back to Specialty and Forensic Evaluations
- Referring professionals: For Providers
Common questions
- Will the evaluation hold up in court?
- Our reports are written to the standards Michigan probate courts expect. Dr. Colman is available for clarifying communication with attorneys or courts as needed.
- Will Dr. Colman testify if needed?
- Court testimony is available when needed. We'll discuss this during the initial consultation if it's likely to be required.
- Can the evaluation be done at home if the proposed protected person can't travel?
- In specific cases, yes. Discuss with our team during the initial consultation.
- How quickly can the report be ready?
- Standard turnaround is 5 to 10 business days for private-pay cases. Insurance turnaround (BCBS, BCN, Priority Health) is 6 to 8 weeks. A 48-hour expedited option is available when a court date or filing deadline requires it.
Contact us about a guardianship evaluation
Reach out if you're an attorney or family member and would like to discuss the specifics of the case first.
A first conversation, on your terms.
Reach out by phone or message. We return inquiries within one to two business days.