Guardianship is a legal process through which the court appoints a responsible person to make important decisions for an incapacitated person. The incapacity may be due to age, disease, or physical or mental disability. When a guardianship is established, certain rights belonging to the incapacitated person are terminated and those rights are given to the court-appointed guardian.
Sometime guardianship is unavoidable, but often an incapacitated person can be cared for through alternatives that are less restrictive. With careful planning and the execution of certain legal documents, you can ensure a trusted relative or friend has sufficient authority to provide for your care if you become incapacitated. Paula Flowerday can counsel you about the various alternatives to guardianship, such as powers of attorney, authorization to consent to medical treatment, and trusts, and help you determine the best option for your situation.
If you are caring for someone for whom guardianship is the only choice, Paula can represent you throughout the legal process. Paula will ensure you understand the responsibilities of a court-appointed guardian and the on-going requirements for reporting to the court.