Alabama Permanency Hearing Order Adult Custodial Care (APHOTIC) is a court-ordered legal process that ensures the long-term care of an adult who is unable to care for themselves. This process is typically initiated when an adult has been assessed as being unable to make decisions for themselves or lacks the necessary resources to care for themselves. The APHOTIC process requires a petition to be filed in a probate court, which will then determine whether the adult is in need of permanent custodial care. Types of APHOTIC include guardianship, conservatorships, and protective orders. In a guardianship, a court-appointed individual is responsible for making decisions for the adult and ensuring their needs are met. In a conservatorship, a court-appointed individual is responsible for managing the adult’s finances. Lastly, a protective order is an order that restricts an adult’s activities in order to protect them from harm.