EFFECTS OF THE THE NEW GUARDIANSHIP LAW F OR ADULTS ON THE TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENTS NEARING ADULTHOOD

A new guardianship law for adults went into effect in Germany in 1992. In it the legal instruments of Entmundigung (legal incapacitation) an d Pflegschaft have been replaced by Betreuung (the latter two being ro ughly equivalent to guardianship, curatorship or conservatorship). Pro fessionals in child and adolescent psychiatry must be familiar with th e new law because although it officially affects only those 18 years o f age and older, it also greatly affects treatment planning for adoles cents with psychiatric disorders who are nearing adulthood. Questions arise such as whether the parents would be suitable legal guardians fo r their adult child and how to make a smooth transition from measures previously within the scope of parental responsibility for miners.