Volunteers needed for county Orphans’ Court

The Chester County Orphans’ Court is seeking volunteers who can serve as “eyes and ears” for visitors.

WEST CHESTER >> The Chester County Orphans’ Court is seeking volunteers to serve as its “eyes and ears” by visiting individuals who require guardianship.

The visits by volunteers assist the court in maintaining contact with the any person deemed by the court to be incapacitated. The amount of volunteer time required is flexible, and training for the guardian program includes topics such as individual’s rights, Alzheimer’s disease, and information on public agencies that provide the guardianship services.

“The court appoints a guardian for an individual who is determined to be ‘incapacitated’ within the meaning of the law,” said Judge Katherine Platt, Orphans Court Judge. “The standard for that determination is whether the individual’s ability to receive and evaluate information and communicate decisions is impaired to such a significant extent that he or she is unable to manage his or her financial resources, or meet essential requirements for physical health and safety.”

Anyone interested in becoming part of the Orphans’ Court guardian program is invited to take part in a free training session that will be held on Thursday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W. Market St., West Chester. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

For more information about the program or to request an application for the upcoming training, please contact Diane Mulhearn at 610-344-5212 or email dmulhearn@chesco.org.