Book excerpt: As people age, some become incapable of managing their personal & financial affairs. To protect these people, state laws provide for court appointment of guardians to act on their behalf. In many cases federal programs provide these incapacitated people financial benefits. This report examines: (1) what state courts do to ensure that guardians fulfill their responsibilities, (2) what guardianship programs recognized as exemplary do to ensure that guardians fulfill their responsibilities, & (3) how state courts & federal agencies work together to protect incapacitated elderly people. Recommendations included. Charts & tables.