It is important to to recognize that, in an emergency, the law allows physicians to treat anyone who is incapable of giving informed consent. In non-emergency situations, the next of kin may consent if the patient is unable to do so. The Georgia Medical Consent Law lists the persons who may consent to medical care for another, and authorizes physicians to act in emergency situations. Guardianship may not be necessary to consent to medical treatment, unless there is a dispute among those persons having equal voice under the law.