Final answer:
If a client is unable to make decisions and has no spouse, the next in the legal hierarchy are typically the client's children, followed by parents, siblings, and other relatives as per state intestacy laws. Disputes and legal battles, like in the case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson, may occur when relationships are not legally recognized.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client is unable to make decisions, and there is no spouse, the legal hierarchy typically dictates that the next in line are the client's children, if any. If there are no children, the responsibility may fall to the parents, followed by siblings, and then other relatives. Each state has its own intestacy laws that outline the specific order of priority. In situations similar to the case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson, legal battles can ensue if there are disputes regarding guardianship or if the relationship between the parties is not legally recognized. Here, it took almost a decade and a court appeal before Thompson was rightfully declared Kowalski's legal guardian.