While I agree, the one thing that makes me nervous is there are two types of "incompetent" that she could be declared (that's not the best description but I can't think of how to word it better). There can be a Guardian of a person, a Guardian of an estate (assets/property), or both. It's all over the place if you Google it but just for the sake of adding a link, here's one source I found for Ohio (it looks like states vary somewhat, but they're all similar): http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/public/legal_problem/wills-and-probate/guardianships/qandact_view
A guardian of the person is IMO the closest to "custody" for an adult. They're responsible for the person's well being, care, support, education, health, medical care, etc. A guardian of the estate, on the other hand, is responsible for the money, basically - property, any "business affairs," assets, taxes, legal claims, etc.
Both are court appointed based on loose guidelines, but always decided by the court. Also worth noting, "In almost all cases, the guardian must be an Ohio resident."
It's probably harder to be sure the guardian of the person "duties" are being carried out properly, but a guardian of the estate has a lot of accounting they have to do to prove they're handling the money appropriately. Here's a snippet from the link above:
"What duties does a guardian have?
Anyone appointed as guardian must act in the wards best interests. If you are a guardian of the person, you must protect and control the incompetent person. You are responsible for the persons daily maintenance. These expenses can be paid from the wards estate, as approved by the court. You may also authorize health care, unless the ward or an interested party objects to the court.
If you are a guardian of the estate, you may transfer property, sign contracts and/or handle all of the wards other financial matters. You must also file an inventory and reports with the probate court. A guardian may not open the wards safety deposit box until the contents have been audited by the county auditor.
What inventory and reports must the guardian file?
As the guardian of the estate, you must file an inventory of the incompetents assets within three months of your appointment. Each year thereafter, you must file a report which itemizes every purchase you made on the incompetents behalf. Include all receipts."
Anyone appointed as guardian must act in the wards best interests. If you are a guardian of the person, you must protect and control the incompetent person. You are responsible for the persons daily maintenance. These expenses can be paid from the wards estate, as approved by the court. You may also authorize health care, unless the ward or an interested party objects to the court.
If you are a guardian of the estate, you may transfer property, sign contracts and/or handle all of the wards other financial matters. You must also file an inventory and reports with the probate court. A guardian may not open the wards safety deposit box until the contents have been audited by the county auditor.
What inventory and reports must the guardian file?
As the guardian of the estate, you must file an inventory of the incompetents assets within three months of your appointment. Each year thereafter, you must file a report which itemizes every purchase you made on the incompetents behalf. Include all receipts."
ETA: when I say "based on loose guidelines" above I mean that they have general guidelines they follow, but the end goal is always what's best for the "ward" - the person the guardian is being appointed to. For example in general it's the spouse (if there is one), a person the incapacitated person names (if there is one), adult relatives, etc. but it's not a given that the "next of kin" becomes the guardian.
