The Office of the Public Guardian serves adults (18 years or older) who are without family or friends to serve as a guardian. Adults served are at-risk or subject to neglect, victimization or exploitation because of mental disability and/or physical incapacitation. A court declaration of incapacity is necessary before the appointment of the guardian. The agency also provides public guardianship services to individuals in state programs and institutions when these individuals lack the capacity for independent decision making and have no one to act as their surrogates.