About Us

The Public Guardianship Office for the 8th Judicial Circuit (PGO8) is one of 17 public guardianship offices statewide, under the Office of Public and Professional Guardians housed within the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. PGO8 exists to serve its Wards ensuring their needs are met while maintaining the highest quality of life in the safest way possible.

We are guided by preferences of the Ward to the extent that the person can demonstrate an understanding of the information crucial in making that decision, has financial resources needed to carry out that preference, and the potential for harm is minimal. When the individual cannot express preferences, PGO8 will use the concept of substituted judgment. Substituted judgment attempts to answer the question: “Were this individual capable of making and expressing a choice, what would that choice likely be?” When unable to determine the Ward’s preferences, PGO8 may use a fiduciary and prudent approach consistent with its legal responsibilities and the Florida Guardianship Standards of Practice. When PGO8 decisions have an impact on a Ward, and clear legal guidelines cannot be determined, PGO8 will seek guidance from the court.

PGO8 respects the personal dignity and civil rights held by each human being. We believe everyone possesses the potential to change and to gain new abilities, even after an adjudication of incapacity. As guardians, we are granted authority to serve only to the extent that the guardianship court determines that guardianship, and guardianship only, will meet the specific needs of the legally incompetent individual. As public guardians, we are available to serve only where the individual is unable to afford a paid professional guardian, no other programs or funding sources are available to secure a professional guardian, and no family members, friends, or other community contacts are available, qualified, and willing to serve.

Service Area
The Public Guardianship Office for the 8th Judicial Circuit serves the following counties:
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties