Guardianship
A guardian is a person or institution appointed by the court to manage the affairs of another. Guardianships are commonly used for individuals who are incapacitated and incapable of making personal and/or financial decisions. For example, a minor, a disabled individual, or an elderly person suffering from dementia may need a guardianship.
A guardianship may not be needed if the person prepared an “Advance Directive” (explained below) at a time when they did have capacity, and if the Advance Directive includes the powers that are now needed to accomplish the planning that needs to be done. For example, an elderly individual may have prepared a Power of Attorney for Property, but it does not contain powers needed for doing long term care planning.
- Our office will provide counsel on whether a guardianship is necessary, or whether there are alternatives available other than guardianship
- Guardianship of the person provides powers related to health and well being of the person, including their medical care
- Guardianship of the estate provides powers related to the financial management of the person’s assets and income
- Our office provides representation in both contested and non-contested guardianship proceedings
- Our office provides representation for the annual reports to the court after a guardian is appointed, if retained by the client to do so