The Office of Public Guardian is designed to serve as the guardian or conservator for an individual when no other alternative is available. In addition to providing the means of last resort as guardians or conservators for those situations where no family member or suitable individual is available, the Office of Public Guardian provides education, training, and support for volunteer and family guardians and conservators, and recruits individuals to serve as guardians and conservators for Nebraska’s vulnerable individuals. The work of the Office of Public Guardian is guided by the Advisory Council on Public Guardianship. Work began on January 1, 2015, to develop the processes, guidelines, plans and personnel policies to implement the Public Guardianship Act.

Public Guardianship Act

The Office of Public Guardian was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 2014.

• Duties of the Office of Public Guardian 
• Office of Public Guardian Service Areas

Publications

• Introduction to the Nebraska Office of Public Guardian by Michelle Chaffee
• Infographic: Guardianship and Voting in Nebraska Explained (7/28/20)

Newsletters

• August 2021 Newsletter, Office of Public Guardian
• February 2021 Newsletter, Office of Public Guardian
• July 2020 Newsletter, Office of Public Guardian

Annual Reports

• 2024 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2023 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2022 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2021 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2020 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2019 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2018 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2017 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2016 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian
• 2015 Annual Report, Office of Public Guardian

OPG in the News

• September 14, 2022 "Pottawattamie County sheriff says jail changes made since ‘tragic’ 2018 case"
• September 14, 2022 "Justice sought for Nebraska ward whose legs were amputated after being jailed"
• October 6, 2021 "Guardian, Omaha police officer get help for man with dementia after he contracted COVID"
• August 17, 2019 "Nebraska state administrator gets prison for embezzling almost $277,000 from his dad"
• January 13, 2019 "Nebraska public guardian office points to 58-pound woman's death in report showing flaws in system"

Presentations and Speakers

If you would like to request a speaker from the Office of Public Guardian, please click here and follow the link that reads: "Request Judicial Branch Staff Speakers" to complete the request form.

Contact

Marla J. Fischer, JD

Director, Office of Public Guardian
1540 South 70th Street, Suite 202
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 471-2862