German Guardianship Law Is Complicated

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Das deutsche Betreuungsrecht - ENGLISCH - Betreuungsrecht deutsche Das GermanGerman www.drei-r-druck.de · GuardianshipGuardianship LawLaw Erstellt von: Ali Türk & Jessica Bussler Institut für transkulturelle Betreuung (Betreuungsverein) e.V. Freundallee 25 30173 Hannover Information for

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Printed in Germany Word of welcome

As the result of an accident or illness, or because of old age, some people are no longer in a position to take care of important matters themselves. They need someone who can represent their interests and rights in dealings with doctors, for example, or public offices and officials.

The basic principles of legal guardianship are explained in this advice brochure, and the duties and rights of the care-taking guardians described in some detail. You see, German guardianship law is complicated. And not all advice centres and facilities are adjusted to persons with a migration background.

Migrants often don’t know which options they actually have, the main reason being that they are not familiar with German guardianship law. Then again, it’s difficult for them to understand the often rather complex legal regulations because their German language skills aren’t so good.

This brochure is intended to be both a source of advice and a guide. It takes cultural differ- ences into consideration, and tries to help you to understand the complicated system of German guardianship law. After all, as far as matters of your personal wealth and welfare are concerned, nobody can fulfil expectations better than you yourself. Which is why eve- ryone should have the chance to check whether precautionary measures should be taken in good times – for bad times – if, indeed, guardianship is necessary at some point.

As well as an illustration of the legal basics, the brochure also contains a detailed descrip- tion of types of precautionary options, in the shape of advance directives on guardianship, living wills and powers of attorney. Moreover, it contains a list of the regional drop-in centres, like guardianship authorities and associations, which offer advice and support.

The brochure is published in several languages so that migrants have access to all the information.

Our thanks go to the Institute for Transcultural Support for developing and publishing this brochure, which bears in mind the growing need for legal support of persons with a migration background.

Aygül Özkan Bernd Busemann Lower Saxon Minister for Social Affairs, Lower Saxon Minister for Justice Women, Family, Health and Integration

Foreword

Dear readers, any of us can find ourselves in this situation: because of illness or disability, we are no longer able to manage our own affairs. This is when we need the right Ali Türk people to represent us and look after our interests. In Managing Director Germany the instruments involved are: powers of attorney, living wills, and legal guardianship. Legal guardianship is part of legal care in our social state system. It is intended to guarantee the participa- tion of people in care in legal relations and to ensure the right to self-determination of those involved – and its implementation.

Ulrich Wöhler Many people are unaware of these options of legal Chairman representation. With this brochure we would like to inform you about the ways in which you can make self-determined provisions, if such a situation should arise. Moreover, this brochure explains the complex German laws on legal guardianship. Thus, it can serve as advice and a guide for migrants, and also for the players who are confronted with questions to do with guardianship. Ramazan Salman Deputy Chairman By publishing this brochure, the Institute for Transcul- tural Support (Support Association) regd association (ItB) would like to make a contribution to the integration of migrants and people with a migrant background. Do you have further questions about advance provision options and legal guardianship? The guardianship associations and agencies, and the local district courts in your region are happy to advise you. You will find their addresses in the Annexe. We would be very glad if this publication has been of some assistance to you.

Ali Türk, Ulrich Wöhler , Ramazan Salman

Acknowledgements

For their help in producing this brochure, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to:

• the public authority for Social Affairs, Family, Health and Consumer Protection of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg • the Ethno-Medizinisches Zentrum e.V., Hanover • the staff of the State Guardianship Authority, Hamburg • the guardianship agencies in Hamburg • the guardianship associations involved • the advice centres for migrants, Hamburg, • Insel e.V., Hamburg • all the people involved, and our staff, who provided both advice and active support in realising this project.

Contents

I) Legal guardianship (Rechtliche Betreuung) 8 When is a guardian appointed? 9 Three steps to legal guardianship 10 The guardian‘s areas of responsibility 11 Who can become a guardian? 13 Who bears the costs? 14

II) Advance directive on guardianship (Betreuungsverfügung) 15

III) Power of attorney (Vorsorgevollmacht) 16

IV) Living will (Patientenverfügung) 18 Where can further information and advice be obtained? 19

V) List of adresses 20

German guardianship law Information for migrants

Legal guardianship and precautionary measures After an accident, an (age-related) illness, an emotional crisis or a handi- cap – anyone can find himself in a position where he is no longer able, temporarily or permanently, to see to important matters in his life. In such a case, someone is needed to represent his interests and rights, for instance in dealing with local authorities and government agencies, banks or doctors. In the German legal system this can be someone who has previously been granted power of attorney for this purpose by the person concerned (known also as the ward), or someone who has been appointed as a legal guardian by court order. Power of attorney (Vorsor- gevollmacht) generally avoids the necessity of a court-appointed guardian. Where power of attorney has not been granted, a person can lay down his wishes in an advance directive on guardianship (Betreuungs- verfügung), for the eventuality that a guardian may be needed in the future. Another precautionary measure is the living will (Patientenver- fügung), in which the ward’s wishes can be established directly, with regard to medical treatment at the end of his life.

In the following, these four terms are described in detail:

I) Legal guardianship (Rechtliche Betreuung) II) Advance directive on guardianship (Betreuungsverfügung) III) Power of attorney (Vorsorgevollmacht) IV) Living will (Patientenverfügung)

I. Legal guardianship (Rechtliche Betreuung)

The statutory basis for legal guardi- cerned must only be disregarded anship is laid down in Article 1896 if he harms himself through his of the German Civil Code: action (for example, if his action represents a danger to his property A legal guardianship should only and health). The rights and duties of be set up when a mental illness, guardians are described in Guardi- or an emotional, mental or physi- anship Law (Article 1901, German cal disability exists, with the result Civil Code), their main contextual that a person is no longer able to features being: manage his affairs himself. With a legal guardianship, certain areas of Art. 1896 Civil Code: responsibility are laid down by the court. A guardianship should only (1) „Should an adult, due to be in place for as long as is neces- mental disease or to a physical sary. It is set up for a maximum of or mental disability, be unable, seven years. Upon expiry of this pe- temporarily or permanently, to riod, at the very latest, the necessity manage his affairs, the Court of of the guardianship is re-examined Protection (Betreuungsgericht)) and a decision made as to whether will appoint a guardian for him, it should be rescinded or extended. either on the application of the In the choice of a guardian, the person concerned or officially. wishes of the person concerned are Application can also be made by taken into consideration. a person who is not mentally or physically competent. In the case Persons who have a close relation- where an adult is unable to man- ship to the ward have priority as age his affairs due to a physical appointees. If the ward does not disability, a guardian may only recommend anyone, the judge at be appointed on the application the Guardianship Court looks for of the adult in question, unless other suitable persons. The guardi- he is unable to make known his anship judge will normally ask the wishes.” care authorities for a suggestion. (1a) „A guardian may not be ap- While rendering services in his role pointed against the will of the as a carer, the guardian is subject adult.“ to the control of the court. The legal guardian represents his ward at court and out of Court. However, he must talk through his activities with the person concerned beforehand. The wishes of the person con-

The will and well-being of the per- Mental illnesses sons concerned are of paramount These are understood to be emo- importance. As „temporary man- tional illnesses, as well as emo- agers“, guardians take care of so- tional disorders, that cannot be cial and legal issues and help the explained physically, yet have persons they represent to achieve physical causes (for example, a self-determined life. Guardian- meningitis or brain damage). ship does not mean that a person Addictive illnesses, depending loses his right to decide about his on the degree of severity, can own life or the way he leads this also be considered as mental life. It is only about assistance! illnesses. In addition, neuroses Due to their restrictions, the per- and personality disorders be- sons concerned can often no long- long to this group of illnesses. er cope with their lives. They grow lonely, no longer pay their bills, Mental handicaps get into debt or forget appoint- These include the congenital or ments with their doctor or local acquired impairment of mental authorities. For such people, a le- capacity. gal guardianship is set up so that they do not become marginalized Emotional disabilities within society. Emotional disability is understood to mean permanent im- When is a guardian appointed? pairment, whose original devel- opment was a result of a mental A guardian can only be appoint- illness. It also includes the men- ed when the person concerned is tal limitations that come with the in need of help due to mental or onset of old-age decrepitude. physical illness or disability, and is thus unable to manage his own af- Physical disabilities fairs. The decision on this is taken The possibility of obtaining a by the Guardianship Court. For this legal guardian also arises when purpose, the court obtains the ad- the ability to take care of one’s vice of a medical specialist, usually own affairs is partially lost or a psychiatrist. substantially restricted (for instance, in the case of lasting immobility). The physically dis- abled can only obtain a legal guardian by making a personal application.

Three steps to legal guardianship If the person concerned can no longer express his own will, and 1) Notification very important decisions have to In order to put in train the proc- be taken, a so-called guardian ad ess of obtaining a guardianship, litem is appointed. the Guardianship Court has to be Medical reports are of importance notified by, for example, relatives, for the appointment of a guardian; neighbours, friends, acquaint- these are prepared, as a rule, by a ances, doctors, social institutions, psychiatric specialist. The medical nursing homes or hospitals, who expert’s opinion and the guardi- submit the information or sugges- anship authorities’ social reports tion. take important points into consideration, such as the necessity and The suggestion can also be made, scope of guardianship, the chances however, by another person who of rehabilitation and the period for would like to help the person con- which help will be needed - that is, cerned. The court has to be in- whether guardianship will perhaps formed that a person is no longer be required only temporarily, for able to manage his own affairs. example, in the case of life-threat- The person concerned can also ening operations that are known to make an application to the court to require a long period of intensive become a ward in a guardianship medical aftercare. scheme. Before the final decision, the - per 2) Procedure son concerned is heard by the Guardianship Court judge in his The Guardianship Court generally or her everyday surroundings. instructs the guardianship author- Should the person concerned not ity to investigate the matter and, if have a sufficient command of the necessary, recommend a suitable German language, an interpreter is person as a guardian. The guardi- to be called in. anship authority speaks to the person concerned, and possibly to 3) Decision others involved, determines what needs to be done and informs the The judge at the Guardianship Guardianship Court accordingly. Court informs in writing the per- The guardianship authority also son affected, the guardian and, informs the court about the per- when appropriate, the guardian ad son who appears to be a suitable litem and the guardianship authority about his ruling on the setting guardian. If necessary, relatives of up of a guardianship. the person concerned and trusted third parties can be informed about The parties to the procedure have the procedure. the right of appeal, including a per-

10 son who is mentally and/or physi- this into consideration. cally incapacitated. Property and financial affairs The court ruling stipulates the person to be appointed as a guardian, Tasks in this area include sorting and the duties he or she is author- the ward’s monetary assets such ized to perform. A guardian is only as the ascertainment, enforce- appointed to deal with those mat- ment and application for income ters that the person concerned (social security benefit, pension, is himself no longer able to deal unemployment money or assist- with. ance, sickness benefit, the right to maintenance and alimony); further, exemption from surcharges, appli- The guardian‘s areas of responsi- cation for reductions and allow- bility ances, supervision or control of receipts and expenditure, as well Health and personal welfare as management of bank accounts The guardian can take part in the and assets; finally, the allocation decision-making process as to of funds, administration of prop- which health measures are re- erties, the settlement of debts and quired for the person concerned, running costs. thus acting in the latter’s interest. The appointment of a legal guard- This includes the choice of medical ian does not automatically curtail and nursing care, the provision of the ward’s independent ability to medical and nursing aids, as well as run his own legal transactions. In the introduction of, and agreement general, wards can continue to do to, therapeutic measures; the or- business and close contracts, free- ganisation of medical checkups for ly and independently. early diagnosis, giving consent to operations and ensuring the taking However, his legal capacity is lim- of drugs and medicines. Generally, ited if a caveat on consent (Article the guardian is to be regarded only 1903, German Civil Code) has been as a companion and advisor in this put in place with regard to taking task area. Only when the person care of his assets, which averts he is responsible for is no longer considerable danger to the assets able to make a decision – that is, or to the ward’s health. Contracts he no longer appears to be able to which persons in the care of guard- perceive the type, significance and ians then close are ineffective, be- implications of proposed meas- cause they remain pending. Then ures and to determine or formulate the guardians make a decision on his wishes – is when the guardian the legal validity. If they agree, the takes decisions for him. If a living legal transaction becomes valid. will is available, the guardian takes If they do not agree, then these

11 transactions become null and void. and protection of the person con- An invalidity of legal transactions cerned, and only within the scope means for the wards that they have of a corresponding court decision, no costs to bear and do not have to the guardian can decide on his fear any legal consequences. place of abode (sheltered accom- modation, nursing home, own flat Legal and official matters etc.), also against the person‘s will. The guardian is responsible for Cancelling the rent contract for the filing applications and conduct- flat is only possible with permis- ing correspondence as well as sion of the court. telephone contact with public authorities and offices. He is obliged Decision on the placing and de- to represent the ward’s interests in taining of a person in a secure in- dealings with all kinds of authori- stitution and related compulsory ties, including the filing of an ap- measures peal when an application is turned Under certain circumstances (for down, and acting in accordance instance, when the danger of sub- with the Social Security Code. This stantial self-inflicted injury or sui- area of responsibility also includes cide exists), a person can be placed legal matters affecting foreign na- and detained in a secure institution tionals, military service, passport (for example, in a mental hospital) and contracts (employment, ten- or in the secure section of a hos- ancy, and life insurance contracts pital or nursing home for the eld- etc.). In complicated matters, a erly. The decision on the necessity lawyer should be appointed for the of placing a person in a secure in- guardian, or should be engaged by stitution can only be taken by the the guardian. guardian with the prior approval of the Guardianship Court. Deten- Postal matters tion in a secure institution has to This covers the ward’s telecom- be ended when the presupposition munications, as well as the receipt, that gave rise to it no longer ap- opening and stopping/blocking of plies - for example, when an earlier his post. risk of suicide no longer exists. Related compulsory measures are Right to determine place of abode understood to be all actions that, If the guardian is entrusted with this through the use of mechanical de- area of responsibility, it is his duty vices, drugs or by other means, to protect the centre of the vital in- deprive the person concerned of terests and familiar surroundings his or her liberty regularly or over of the person concerned or, where a long period of time. Such meas- applicable, to look for appropriate ures include bed bars, abdominal surroundings. For the well-being belts in bed or on a chair, the ty-

12 ing of arms and legs, locking of lowing persons can act as volun- the room or ward and drugs that tary guardians: further immobilization. Addition- ally, court approval is necessary in a) Relatives (for example, parents, these cases, too, should the person children or siblings) concerned lack the capacity to give consent. Persons who are close to the person concerned are given particular Housing matters attention as potential guardians. A guardian who has been given However, only those who are will- responsibility for this area takes ing, suitable and are able to legally care of tenancy matters and the fi- attend to the affairs of the person nancing of the flat (rent and addi- concerned in the area laid down tional charges, telephone charges, by the Guardianship Court, and to licensing fees and cable television look after the person concerned charges). The guardian maintains to the required extent can actually contact to the landlord, arranges be appointed as guardians. As al- for necessary repairs, applies for ready mentioned in the above, this grants for redecoration from the includes a basic command of the social welfare office as well as for German language and familiarity housing subsidy. with the German legal and social The guardian may only give notice system. Suitability for the posi- to end a tenancy agreement with tion of guardian is determined by the prior approval of the Guardian- the guardianship authority or the ship Court (Article 1907 (par.1) Ger- Guardianship Court. man Civil Code). b) Other voluntary guardians Who can become a guardian? (friends, acquaintances, neighbours and strangers)

1) Voluntary guardians By investing just a little time, a vol- A voluntary guardian is one that untary guardian and his activities conducts his duties on a non-occu- can offer a person in need not only pational basis, which means that straightforward representation in he is reimbursed for his expenses, legal matters, but can also give the but receives no other payment. guardian himself the feeling of be- There are important prerequisites ing respected and esteemed. Vol- for the conduct of guardianship, untary guardianship should be re- including a basic command of the garded as a life-enriching challenge German language, as well as pos- and important social duty. Even if sessing knowledge of the German the situations of the persons con- legal and social system. The fol- cerned differ widely, experience of

13 life, sensitivity and the readiness to 4) Guardianship agency / guardi- gain new knowledge are sufficient anship authority to qualify someone as a volun- Employees of guardianship agen- tary guardian. With relatively little cies and authorities act as official time, a ward can be given personal guardians only in exceptional cas- company and support. Here, too, es. a basic knowledge of the German language is important, and, in ad- Who bears the costs? dition, knowledge of the German legal and social system. Suitability In principle, the person in need for the position of guardian is de- himself pays the costs of guardian- termined by the guardianship au- ship. This applies to those whose thority or the Guardianship Court. assets exceed the sum of 2,600 eu- The guardianship authority and ros. Should the person concerned guardianship associations can pro- be impoverished and have little or vide voluntary guardians with the no income, the costs are borne by necessary support. the state.

2) Self-employed professional That part of a person’s income guardians that exceeds his cost of living is drawn on to a reasonable extent A professional guardian must have as a contribution towards the cost an appropriate qualification and be of guardianship. It is also impor- in a position to legally attend to the tant to know that should assets be needs of the person concerned to later acquired, and also in the case the extent required. of misrepresentation, the state can claim reimbursement of costs in- 3) Employees of guardianship as- curred in the previous ten years. sociations (association-employed guardians) As far as the costs of legal proceed- ings are concerned, there is an as- Guardianship associations employ set allowance of 25,000 euros. Per- professional, full-time guardians. sons with assets in excess of this The association is responsible for personal allowance must them- their monitoring, training, further selves pay for possible charges, or training and qualification. Associa- for expert medical reports. tion-employed guardians may only be appointed in a particular case with the agreement of the respective association.

14 II. Advance directive on guardianship (Betreuungsverfügung)

With an advance directive on Summary guardianship, a person can already determine beforehand who should • The advance directive on be appointed as his guardian. guardianship is a precautionary Through the advance directive it is measure. established which person or per- • With an advance directive it sons of trust should be appointed can be laid down who should be by the court. appointed guardian as well as the wishes he should observe. This precautionary measure also enables wishes concerning the • The court appoints a guardian guardianship procedure, areas in accordance with the instruc- of responsibility, payments to tions of the person concerned. third parties, instructions regard- ing medical treatment as well as place of abode to be regulated in advance. In an advance directive, several persons can be named for different areas of responsibility, or persons named who should under no circumstances be appointed as guardians. An advance directive on guardianship can only be im- plemented if a guardianship is set up by court order. Should the local district court be aware of such an advance directive on guardianship it has, in principle, to take it into ac- count in reaching its decision. The advance directive on guardianship should be submitted to the local district court or lodged with the Federal Association of Notaries.

15 III. Power of attorney (Vorsorgevollmacht)

With power of attorney a person or bank. The authorized person (at- of trust is authorized to act and de- torney) can then act immediately cide in a legally binding manner. In on behalf of the grantor of power principle, an adult, competent per- of attorney, without bureaucratic son can authorize a person that he intervention or the need for further trusts to deal with individual legal evidence. transactions or with his legal trans- This presumes that there is a spe- actions in general. The person au- cial internal relationship of trust thorized, who is in possession of between the grantor and his at- such authorization, is capable of torney. In the internal relationship, acting at any time and with imme- however, it can be agreed between diate effect. the grantor of power of attorney Power of attorney can also cover and the person so authorized that health matters and responsibility the power of attorney may only for a person’s place of abode. Such be acted upon in accordance with authorization is of a “precaution- a specific directive, for example, ary” nature and should basically should mental or physical inca- only be acted upon when the do- pacity set in. Many people already nor, or grantor, of power of attor- practise such trust, insofar as they ney is no longer able or willing to grant a bank mandate with imme- look after his own affairs. Power of diate effect, even if the person so attorney is often all-embracing and authorized may only exercise it by should as far as possible avoid the arrangement. setting up of a guardianship by the Powers of attorney in Germany Guardianship Court. need not be documented in a par- Financial institutions, however, of- ticular form and certified. ten only recognize powers of attor- A power of attorney only requires ney that have been documented on the grantor’s signature to be legal- a form that they themselves pro- ly valid. It should, however, be in vide, or which have been drawn up written form. In order that the text and certified by a notary. of a power of attorney is percepti- bly and completely safeguarded by For reasons of legal security in ex- the signature, it is advisable to limit ternal relationships, every power the text to one page, or to write it of attorney should be granted with- on both sides of a sheet of paper. out conditions, so that if the worst comes to the worst the power of Since spouses in Germany are not attorney can be exercised imme- automatically attorneys for each diately, for example, with a doctor other, they ought to grant each

16 other reciprocal power of attorney. Since the person granted power of attorney (the attorney) must iden- A notary can attest the authentic- tify himself through presentation ity of the signature on a power of of the original document, its safe- attorney, or, alternatively, he can keeping is very important. certify with his signature under the document that the declaration A securely stored power of attor- contained therein has been made ney protects against misuse; on in his presence. the other hand, a power of attor- In the latter case, the notary also ney that cannot be found cannot advises the grantor on the content be acted upon. of the power of attorney, which It is important that the attorney they draw up together. Should the knows where the original docu- notary doubt the legal competence ment is to be found, so that he can of the grantor, he will not certify present it. Should you have with the power of attorney, since he you a list of addresses in case of would have to express his doubt in emergency, it would be useful to the document itself. include reference to the location of There are cases where attestation a power of attorney. or certification by a notary is- le gally stipulated; for example, if the Summary person granted power of attorney can or should be able to dispose of • Power of attorney is an properties or of shares or interests agreement between a person in a limited company or partner- and someone he trusts. ship. • The grantor decides himself on the single directives con- Guardianship authorites can also tained in a power of attorney. attest powers of attorney, but they are not authorized to record it as • The person concerned has an official document. to be mentally and physically competent at the time he grants The German Federal Association of power of attorney. Notaries has set up a central regis- • Power of attorney can be ter for advance directives (or living regulated in accordance with the wills). Every power of attorney or individual wishes of the person advance directive on guardianship concerned. can be notified to the central regis- • Certification of the power of ter. From this register a court can attorney by a notary guarantees become aware of your advance di- its recognition. rective, in which case the appointment of a legal guardian can be avoided.

17 IV. Living will (Patientenverfügung)

With a living will, provision can be nous feeding an option, or artificial made for medical measures (for respiration, at least for a limited example, diagnosis and therapy). period of time? Should pain be In the living will, the patient’s own treated so extensively that passing wishes are laid down concerning away prematurely cannot be ruled treatment. out as a result? It is sensible to draw up a living On the one hand, directions can be will in combination with power of given to explicitly rule out certain attorney. The objective of a living measures (for example, reanima- will is then to assist the attorneys tion); on the other hand, certain in their search for the will of the pa- forms of treatment (such as pallia- tient, hence eliminating any doubts tive care) can be demanded. concerning the patient’s probable will. Thus, with a combination of A living will must be in written a living will and power of attorney, form; apart from this, there are no the attorney can assert the patient’s official rules for its form. will, as laid out in the living will. The living will should be as precise Summary as possible; that is, it should name • With the living will, the medi- possible illnesses and health con- cal care or treatment to be given, straints, and should name for each or not to be given, can be stipu- of these situations the treatment lated for the event that a person measures he (the patient) would is unable to make decisions. like, or reject, (for example, opera- • It is best to discuss the living tions, artificial respiration, dialysis, will with a doctor. drugs or total parenteral nutrition). Moreover, it should name per- • A living will should be regu- sonal value judgements. It is rec- larly reviewed and, where nec- ommended that the formulation essary, updated. of such a directive be discussed, • There is no rule for the form where possible, with one’s GP, and that living wills should take. that it be confirmed. • The living will is to be ob- The manifold options of modern served by guardians, attorneys intensive medical care for illnesses and the attendant doctors. or accidents make it necessary for people themselves to determine whether, and if so, how they would like to be treated in intensive medical care. For instance, is intrave-

18 Where can further information The advance directive on guard- and advice be obtained? ianship, power of attorney and living will represent three dif- Questions concerning guardian- ferent possibilities of help in a ship law, powers of attorney and critical situation. They have a advance directives on guardian- common objective, namely the ship will be answered by Guardi- protection and retention of the anship Courts (Betreuungsgerich- self-determination of every sin- te), guardianship authorities and gle person. agencies, and guardianship associations. Notaries, lawyers or public Migrants should note that their legal information services provide power of attorney and directive is advice and information on matters valid, as a rule, only in Germany. concerning precautionary meas- In order to achieve validity in peo- ures. ple’s home countries, recording or certification is recommended at Guardianship associations advise the respective consulate general, voluntary guardians and offer consulate or notaries. The laws of training. the respective country governing Guardianship associations also of- power of attorney or advance di- fer advice to persons granted pow- rectives have also to be observed. er of attorney. A guardianship set up in accord- Adresses of advice centres and ance with German law (Article places to contact are available in 1896 of the German Civil Code) is the Annexe. valid in many countries only when acknowledged by a court of law.

19 V. List of adresses

Guardianship authorities in Lower Stadt Wolfsburg Saxony Betreuungsstelle im Gesundheitsamt Rosenweg 1a 1) Urban districts 38440 Wolfsburg Tel: 0 53 61/28-20 40 Stadt Braunschweig Betreuungsstelle Stadt Wilhelmshaven Langer Hof 8 Betreuungsstelle 38100 Braunschweig Gökerstraße 68 Tel: 05 31/470-1 (Bürgertelefon) 26384 Wilhelmshaven Stadt Delmenhorst Tel: 0 44 21/16-15 66, -15 68, -15 87, Betreuungsstelle -13 96 Am Stadtwall 10 27749 Delmenhorst 2) Rural Districts Tel: 0 42 21/99-24 97 Landkreis Ammerland Stadt Emden Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Ammerlandallee 12 Maria-Wilts-Straße 3 26655 Westerstede 26721 Emden Tel: 0 44 88/56-31 80, -32 00 Tel: 0 49 21/87-14 77, -16 09 Landkreis Aurich Stadt und Landkreis Göttingen Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Hiroshimaplatz 1-4 Extumer Weg 29 37083 Göttingen 26603 Aurich Tel: 05 51/400-32 16 Tel: 0 49 41/16 53 00 Stadt Oldenburg Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Neuer Weg 36/37 Pferdemarkt 14 26506 Norden 26121 Oldenburg, Tel: 0 49 41/16 53 70 Tel: 04 41/235-25 03 Landkreis Celle Stadt Osnabrück Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Stadthaus 2 Mühlenstraße 2 Natruper-Tor-Wall 5 29221 Celle 49076 Osnabrück Tel: 0 51 41/90 90-206, -205 Tel: 05 41/323-31 91, -25 88 Landkreis Cloppenburg Stadt Salzgitter Betreuungsbehörde Fachdienst Gesundheit Eschstraße 29 Betreuungsstelle 49661 Cloppenburg Marktplatz 11 Tel: 0 44 71/15-557 38259 Salzgitter (Bad) Tel: 0 53 41/839-20 22

20 Landkreis Cuxhaven Landkreis Goslar Betreuungsstelle Fachbereich Familie, Jugend & Vincent-Lübeck-Straße 2 Soziales 27474 Cuxhaven Betreuungsstelle Tel: 0 47 21/591 83 10 Klubgartenstraße 11 38640 Goslar Landkreis Diepholz Tel: 0 53 21/76-513, -578, -573, -594 Betreuungsstelle Syke Amtshof 3 Landkreis Helmstedt 28857 Syke Betreuungsstelle Tel: 0 42 42/976-46 67, -46 42 Conringstraße 28 Betreuungsstelle Diepholz 38350 Helmstedt Wellestraße 19-20 Tel: 0 53 51/121-24 66, -24 67, -24 68 49356 Diepholz Tel: 0 54 41/976-18 12 Landkreis Hameln-Pyrmont Fachbereich Gesundheit Landkreis Emsland Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Hugenottenstraße 6 Ordeniederung 1 31785 Hameln 49716 Meppen Tel: 0 51 51/903-51 14 Tel: 0 59 31/44-13 99 oder 44-1408 Außenstelle Lingen Region Hannover Tel: 05 91/84 33 36 Team Betreuungsangelegenheiten Außenstelle Aschendorf-Hümmling Hildesheimer Straße 20 Tel: 0 49 62/501 31 40 30169 Hannover Tel: 05 11/616-224 23 Landkreis Friesland Gesundheitsamt Landkreis Hildesheim Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Beethovenstraße 1 Ludolfingerstraße 2 26441 Jever 31137 Hildesheim Tel: 0 44 61/919-74 30 Tel: 0 51 21/309-42 71, -42 82, -42 81 Landkreis Gifhorn Landkreis Harburg Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Schloßplatz 1 Schloßplatz 6 38518 Gifhorn 21423 Winsen (Luhe) Tel: 0 53 71/82-552 Tel: 0 41 71/693-434 Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim Landkreis Holzminden Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Van-Delden-Straße 1–7 Bürgermeister-Schrader-Straße 24 48529 Nordhorn 37603 Holzminden Tel: 0 59 21/96-12 67 Tel: 0 55 31/707-331

21 Landkreis Leer Landkreis Osnabrück Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Am Schölerberg 1 Jahnstraße 4 49082 Osnabrück 26789 Leer Tel: 05 41/501-30 38, -34 38 Tel: 04 91/9 26-11 30, -11 31 Landkreis Peine Landkreis Lüchow-Dannenberg Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Burgstraße 1 Königsberger Straße 10 31224 Peine 29439 Lüchow Tel: 0 51 71/401-12 13, -12 14 Tel: 0 58 41/120-477 Landkreis Rotenburg Landkreis Lüneburg Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Auf dem Michaeliskloster 4 Bahnhofstraße 15 21335 Lüneburg 27356 Rotenburg (Wümme) Tel: 0 41 31/26-14 00 Tel: 0 42 61/983-32 74 Landkreis Nienburg Gesundheitsamt Bremervörde Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Amtsallee 4 Triemerstraße 17 27432 Bremervörde 31582 Nienburg (Weser) Tel: 0 47 61/983-52 25 Tel: 0 50 21/967-944, -943, -953, -936 Landkreis Schaumburg Landkreis Northeim Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Medenheimer Straße 6/8 Probsthäger Straße 6 37154 Northeim 31655 Stadthagen Tel: 0 55 51/708-268 Tel: 0 57 21/97 58-39 Landkreis Osterode Landkreis Soltau-Fallingbostel Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Vogteistraße 17 Abgunst 7 29683 Bad Fallingbostel 37520 Osterode am Harz Tel: 0 51 62/970-371 Tel: 0 55 22/960-552 oder -553 Landkreis Stade Landkreis Osterholz Betreuungsstelle Gesundheitsamt Heckenweg 7 Betreuungsstelle 21680 Stade Heimstraße 1-3 Tel: 0 41 41/12-711, -740, -741, 27711 Osterholz-Scharmbeck -742, -743 Tel: 0 47 91/930-155 Landkreis Uelzen Landkreis Oldenburg Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsstelle Betreuungsstelle Delmenhorster Straße 6 Auf dem Rahlande 15 27793 Wildeshausen 29525 Uelzen Tel: 0 44 31/85-202 Tel: 05 81/82-468, -459, -470

22 Landkreis Vechta State-recognised Guardianship Betreuungsstelle Associations in Lower Saxony Ravensberger Straße 20 Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen 49377 Vechta Bersenbrück e.V. Tel: 0 44 41/898-20 30 Bürgermeister-Kreke-Straße 3 Landkreis Verden 49593 Bersenbrück Betreuungsstelle Tel: 0 54 39/17 73 Lindhooper Straße 67 Betreuungsverein Institut für 27283 Verden (Aller) Persönliche Hilfe e.V. Tel: 0 42 31/15-519 oder -537 Bruchtorwall 9-11 Landkreis Wesermarsch 38100 Braunschweig Betreuungsstelle Tel: 05 31/25 64 30 Rönnelstraße 10 Betreuungsverein der 26919 Brake Arbeiterwohlfahrt Tel: 0 44 01/927-520 Kreisverband Rotenburg e.V. Landkreis Wittmund Neues Feld 50 Gesundheitsamt 27432 Bremervörde Betreuungsstelle Tel: 0 47 61/80 89-65, -70 Dohuser Weg 12 Betreuungsverein Der Anker e.V. 26409 Wittmund Fritzenwiese 117 Tel: 0 44 62/86-15 01 29221 Celle Landkreis Wolfenbüttel Tel: 0 51 41/992 91-60 Gesundheitsamt Betreuungsverein des Betreuungsstelle Caritasverbandes Friedrich-Wilhelm-Straße 2a Celle Stadt und Land e.V. 38302 Wolfenbüttel Bullenberg 6 Tel: 0 53 31/84-178, -179, -281, -283 29221 Celle Tel: 0 51 41/75 08-20 Sozialverband Deutschland Betreuungsverein Celle e.V. Wehlstraße 29 29221 Celle Tel: 0 51 41/90-10 27, -70 02 Betreuungsverein Cloppenburg e.V. Molberger Straße 21 49661 Cloppenburg Tel: 0 44 71/91 30-0 Betreuungsverein Delmenhorst e.V. Lahusenstraße 9 27749 Delmenhorst Tel: 0 42 21/5 38 64

23 Persönliche Hilfe e.V. Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen e.V. Jahnstraße 16 Goethestraße 31 49356 Diepholz 30169 Hannover Tel: 0 54 41/49 69 Tel: 05 11/1 64 05 60 Caritasverband Gifhorn e.V. Betreuungsverein Hildesheim e.V. Steinweg 55a Wallstraße 3-5 38518 Gifhorn 31137 Hildesheim Tel: 0 53 71/98 74-0 Tel: 0 51 21/7 53 50 Goslarer Verein für Betreuung e.V. Arbeitslosenselbsthilfe Bäringerstraße 24/25 Jahnstraße 2 38640 Goslar 26789 Leer Tel: 0 53 21/3419-16, -17 Tel: 04 91/9 25 09 78 Betreuungsverein Hameln-Pyrmont e.V. Rat und Hilfe Leer Grütterstraße 8 Augustenstraße 41 31785 Hameln 26789 Leer Tel: 0 51 51/9 31 40 Tel: 04 91/9 87 98 79 Betreuungsverein der Sozialdienst katholischer AWO Region Hannover e.V. Frauen Lingen e.V. Deisterstraße 85 A Bögenstraße 12 30449 Hannover 49808 Lingen Tel: 05 11/21 97 8-167 Tel: 05 91/8 00 62-0 AWO Region Hannover e.V. SKM – Kath. Verein für BeVor Betreuung und Vorsorge Soziale Dienste in Lingen e.V. im Gebiet der Landeshauptstadt Lindenstraße 13 Deisterstraße 85 A 49808 Lingen 30449 Hannover Tel: 05 91/91 24 60 Tel: 05 11/21 97 8-196 AWO Betreuungsverein Institut für transkulturelle Lüchow-Dannenberg e.V. Betreuung (BtV) e.V. Probsteikamp 12 Freundallee 25 29451 Dannenberg 30173 Hannover Tel: 0 58 61/98 55 90 Tel: 05 11/59 09 20-0 Betreuungsverein Lüneburg e.V. n Außenstelle Braunschweig Auf dem Wüstenort 4–5 Hannoversche Straße 41 21335 Lüneburg 38116 Braunschweig Tel: 0 41 31/7 89 58-0 Tel.: 0531/580 865-0 Sozialdienst katholischer Diakonischer Betreuungsverein Frauen Meppen e.V. Hannover e.V. Nagelshof 21b Zeißstraße 10 49716 Meppen 30519 Hannover Tel: 0 59 31/9 84 10 Tel: 05 11/2 20 01 70-0

24 Sozialdienst katholischer Sozialdienst katholischer Männer – Emsland Mitte e.V. Frauen Osnabrück e.V. Margaretenstraße 23 Johannisstraße 91 49716 Meppen 49074 Osnabrück Tel: 0 59 31/9 31 10 Tel: 05 41/3 38 76 10 Betreuungsverein Nienburg Sozialdienst katholischer Bismarckstraße 11 Männer Osnabrück e.V. 31582 Nienburg Alte Poststraße 11 Tel: 0 50 21/9 22 49 90 49074 Osnabrück Tel: 05 41/3 31 44-0 AWO Betreuungsverein Nordhorn Petkuserstraße 2 Sozialdienst katholischer 48531 Nordhorn Frauen/Männer Papenburg e.V. Tel: 0 59 21/8 19 02 90 Gutshofstraße 46 26871 Papenburg Sozialdienst katholischer Tel: 0 49 61/6 60 78-0 Frauen Nordhorn e.V. Bentheimer Straße 33 Peiner Betreuungsverein e.V. 48529 Nordhorn Echternplatz 19/20 Tel: 0 59 21/85 87 0 31224 Peine Tel: 0 51 71/5 08 14-11 Sozialdienst katholischer Männer Nordhorn e.V. Sozialdienst katholischer Mittelstraße 7 Frauen/Männer Artland e.V. 48529 Nordhorn Schiphorst 23 Tel: 0 59 21/1 40-18, -19 49610 Quakenbrück Tel: 0 54 31/22 68 Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen Oldenburg e.V. Betreuungsverein Salzgitter e.V. Georgstraße 2 St. Andreas-Weg 2 26122 Oldenburg 38226 Salzgitter Tel: 04 41/2 50 24 Tel: 0 53 41/88 88-13 Betreuungsverein im Betreuungsverein Schaumburg e.V. Diakonischen Werk Börries-von-Münchhausen-Weg 2 des Kirchenkreises Osnabrück e.V. 31737 Rinteln Turmstraße 10–12 Tel: 0 57 51/91 81 11 49074 Osnabrück Betreuungsverein Tel: 05 41/94 04 94 40 im Landkreis Stade e.V. Hilfe für Hörgeschädigte Harsefelder Straße 22 in Niedersachsen e.V. 21680 Stade Knollstraße 96 Tel: 0 41 41/60 00 90-0 49088 Osnabrück Betreuungsverein der AWO Tel: 05 41/1 80 09 73 Todtglüsinger Straße 22 E-Mail: [email protected] 21255 Tostedt Tel: 0 41 82/29 35 97

25 Betreuungsverein Uelzen e.V. Anderland e.V. Bohldamm 26 Betreuungsverein 29525 Uelzen Von-Somnitz-Ring 5 Tel: 05 81/78-149, -159 21423 Winsen (Luhe) Tel: 0 41 71/6 44 44 Albert-Schweitzer-Familienwerk e.V. Jahnstraße 2 Deutsches Rotes Kreuz 37170 Uslar Mühlenstraße 27a n Geschäftsstelle Northeim 26409 Wittmund Bahnhofstraße 26 Tel: 0 44 62/86 15 21 37154 Northeim Wolfsburger Betreuungsverein e.V. Tel: 0 55 51/97 73-0 Seilerstraße 6 n Geschäftsstelle Göttingen 38440 Wolfsburg Kurze-Geismar-Straße 16 –18 Tel: 0 53 61/27 87-0 37073 Göttingen Freundeskreis Betreuungsverein e.V. Tel: 05 51/5 47 03-0 Langestraße 47 Betreuungsverein 31515 Wunstorf der AWO Vechta Tel: 0 50 31/6 86 99 An der Christoph-Bernhard-Bastei 1 Lebenshilfe 49377 Vechta Betreuungsverein Wunstorf e.V. Tel: 0 44 41/91 32 00 Moritzstraße 3 Sozialdienst katholischer 31515 Wunstorf Frauen Vechta e.V. Tel: 0 50 31/91 41 91 Kronenstraße 5 n Außenstelle Neustadt am 49377 Vechta Rübenberge Tel: 0 44 41/92 90-0 Schützenplatz 2 31535 Neustadt Sozialdienst katholischer Tel: 0 50 32/912 67 77 Männer Vechta e.V. Dominikanerweg 8 49377 Vechta Tel: 0 44 41/73 22 Betreuungsverein Soltau-Fallingbostel e.V. Saarstraße 14 29664 Walsrode Tel: 0 51 61/91 10-61, -62 Bornemannstraße 8 29614 Soltau Tel: 0 51 61/21 91 Betreuungsverein Oldenburg-Land e.V. Ahlhorner Straße 10 27793 Wildeshausen Tel: 0 44 31/7 27 67

26 h (hand t durc ed to ich yo rre u be by Ü ):

In Zusammenarbeit mit: English-speaking Migrants Ethno-Medizinisches Zentrum e.V. Königstr. 6

30175 Hannover Überarbeitung durch: Drei-R-Druck ·

Nds. Justizministerium Niedersächsisches Am Waterlooplatz 1 Justizministerium

30169 Hannover Satz & Layout: Taner Yüksel