2017 New York Laws
MHY - Mental Hygiene
Title E - General Provisions
Article 81 - Proceedings for Appointment of a Guardian for Personal Needs or Property Management
81.01 - Legislative Findings and Purpose.

81.01 Legislative findings and purpose.
The   legislature   hereby  finds  that  the  needs  of  persons  with
  incapacities are as diverse and  complex  as  they  are  unique  to  the
  individual. The current system of conservatorship and committee does not
  provide  the  necessary flexibility to meet these needs. Conservatorship
  which traditionally compromises a person's rights only with  respect  to
  property  frequently is insufficient to provide necessary relief. On the
  other hand, a committee, with its judicial finding of  incompetence  and
  the accompanying stigma and loss of civil rights, traditionally involves
  a deprivation that is often excessive and unnecessary. Moreover, certain
  persons  require  some  form of assistance in meeting their personal and
  property management needs but do not require  either  of  these  drastic
  remedies.  The legislature finds that it is desirable for and beneficial
  to persons with  incapacities  to  make  available  to  them  the  least
  restrictive  form  of  intervention  which assists them in meeting their
  needs but, at the same time, permits them to exercise  the  independence
  and  self-determination  of  which  they  are  capable.  The legislature
  declares that it is the purpose  of  this  act  to  promote  the  public
  welfare  by  establishing  a guardianship system which is appropriate to
  satisfy either personal or property management needs of an incapacitated
  person in a manner tailored to the  individual  needs  of  that  person,
  which  takes  in account the personal wishes, preferences and desires of
  the person,  and  which  affords  the  person  the  greatest  amount  of
  independence   and  self-determination  and  participation  in  all  the
  decisions affecting such person's life.