Wisconsin's New Next of Kin Law 2026

Protecting patients and redefining roles
Wisconsin's new Patient Representative Legislation is reshaping long-established guardianship and protective placement practices. Are you prepared for the changes? 

Explore how this new legislation changes medical decision-making, guardianship, and protective placement for incapacitated individuals who need long-term care. The legislation intends to reduce hospital backlogs and expedite access to care, but it also raises questions about judicial oversight and meaningful participation by the patient whose liberty and autonomy is at stake. It is critical that practitioners in this area are up to date on the utility, risks, and limitations of this new legislation and the impact on your clients. 

You’ll cover:

• Filing petitions for guardianship and protective placement
• The findings of incapacity required before a patient representative may be appointed
• Who may serve as a patient representative and what the declaration must include
• The scope of a representative’s authority to make decisions and authorize expenditures at the accepting facility
• How a court may review a patient representative’s conduct if concerns arise

Join Wisconsin’s New Next of Kin Law to learn how practitioners can operate under this new legislation while recognizing potential restrictions and ensuring that Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents are cared for and adequately protected.