Programs that provide assistance for people who want to officially authorize another individual (and one or more alternates) to handle important matters such as bill paying, contracts, investments, taxes, estate planning or a business in the event that the individual becomes incapacitated. There are two kinds of power of attorney: a power of attorney which takes effect immediately upon signing, and a springing power of attorney which does not take effect unless and until the individual becomes incapable of handling his or her own affairs (and expires if the person regains capacity.)

Programs that provide assistance for people who are in favor of or want to oppose the appointment of a conservator to protect adults from physical danger and improper treatment and/or to protect their estate from exploitation or waste when they are incapable of managing their own affairs or are competent but infirm. Conservatorships differ widely among jurisdictions. In some states, conservatorships are voluntary arrangements in which a physically infirm but competent individual petitions the court to appoint the conservator of choice to manage whatever powers and property the conservatee chooses to include in the arrangement. In these jurisdictions, guardianships apply to adults who are found to be incompetent. In other states, conservatorships apply only to an individual's property while guardianships address responsibility for the person. States having no conservatorship arrangements generally have guardianship provisions which address the needs of adults who have been found by the courts to be incapable of managing their own affairs.

Programs that provide assistance for people who are in favor of or want to oppose the appointment of a guardian to care for and/or manage the affairs of a child or adolescent during minority (generally younger than age 18). In some states, particularly those with no arrangements for conservatorships, whose conservatorships are voluntary covering property and powers designated by the conservatee or whose conservatorships address only the individual's estate, guardianships may also apply to adults who have been found by the courts to be incapable of managing their own affairs.

Private organizations that have been appointed by the court to act as legal guardians or conservators (depending on the state) of people who have been judged to be incompetent or gravely disabled due to Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism, mental illness or other incapacitating conditions and assume responsibility for the care and custody of the individuals and/or for the management of their estates.

Individuals who are age 50, 55, 60, 62 or 65 or older depending on the minimum age for qualifying as an older adult which varies by program.

A severe, chronic disability that is attributable to a cognitive, neurological or physical impairment or a combination of cognitive, neurological and physical impairments; that is manifested during the developmental period (prior to age 22); that is likely to continue indefinitely; and that results in substantial functional limitations in three or more areas of major life activity including self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.

Individuals who have been convicted of an offense and sentenced by the court to do community service or participate in a designated treatment program or training in lieu of or in addition to other sanctions; or are involved in legal proceedings such as divorce actions and have been required by the court to attend education or counseling sessions relative to the action, e.g., a divorce education program or parenting classes.