What is the process to obtain guardianship of an adult incapable of making decisions?

My mother-in-law is in Albany Medical Center and is incapable of making decisions on her behalf. The hospital wants my wife and myself to hire an attorney and gain guardianship. We don't know what this entails in costs, etc as we are both retired and live in NYC while my mother in law lived in Albany NY most of her 88 years and we do not have a clue as to her financial situation. We only know she owns her home and car but not much else. Thank you.