(a) A judge of the probate court may appoint guardians for adult persons 18 years of age or older or their estates, or both, as follows:

(1) A judge of the probate court may appoint guardians over the person of adults who are incapacitated by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, mental disability, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs or alcohol, or other cause, to the extent that such adults lack sufficient understanding or capacity to make significant responsible decisions concerning their persons or to the extent that they are incapable of communicating them.

(2) A judge of the probate court may appoint guardians over the property of adults who are incapacitated by reason of mental illness, mental retardation, mental disability, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs or alcohol, detention by a foreign power, disappearance, or other cause, to the extent that such adults are incapable of managing their estates and that the appointment is necessary either because the property will be wasted or dissipated unless proper management is provided or because the property is needed for the support, care, or well-being of such adults or those entitled to be supported by such adults.

(b) The State Board of Workers' Compensation is authorized to appoint a qualified guardian for an adult person 18 years of age or older who is incapacitated by any of the reasons enumerated in subsection (a) of this Code section and who shall be entitled to workers' compensation benefits where there is no duly appointed and qualified guardian for such person. The authority of any guardian appointed by the State Board of Workers' Compensation pursuant to this subsection shall be limited to the administration of such workers' compensation benefits and the settlement of workers' compensation claims.