OH HB491

Amends 35+ sections of Ohio Revised Code to modernize guardianship terminology, replacing "incompetent" with "incompetent adult" throughout and clarifying that guardianship applies separately to minors and incompetent adults

Lowers the age at which a minor may select their own guardian from fourteen to twelve years old

Creates new definitions for interim guardians (15 days, extendable for two 30-day periods), emergency guardians (72 hours, extendable for 30 days), and successor guardians, and adds statutory definitions for "limited guardian" and "standby guardian"

Establishes a new section (2111.023) allowing courts to appoint emergency representatives for individuals who cannot apply for Medicaid assistance on their own due to physical or mental impairment and lack of available support

Increases the threshold for guardian-free estate management and minor settlement approvals from $5,000 annually to $25,000, and repeals six outdated guardianship code sections (2111.07, 2111.15, 2111.34, 2111.35, 2111.36, 2111.45)