When a parent can't manage alone
Step in with the least court you can
Guardianship takes away a person's right to decide for themselves, so I start by asking whether something smaller will do. When it won't, I take you through every step and bill by the hour against a written estimate.
Step 1: First, the papers they can still sign
If your parent can still understand a power of attorney, signing one now often makes a court case unnecessary.
Step 2: The petition
What the court needs to hear about your parent's health and day-to-day life, and the doctor's evaluation that goes with it.
Step 3: The hearing
Who comes, what they are asked and how long it takes. Your parent has the right to be there and to have their own lawyer.
Step 4: After the order
The inventory, yearly reports and accountings the guardian files. I set up a calendar so none of them are late.
For the grown child
You don't have to have the talk alone
Telling a parent they need help with money or medicine is one of the hardest conversations in a family. I can meet your parent with you, explain the choices in plain words, and let them have their say before anything is signed or filed.
What families want to know first
How long does guardianship take?
Often six to ten weeks from filing to the hearing. An emergency order can come sooner when there is real danger.
Do my brothers and sisters get a say?
They are told about the case and may speak at the hearing. Families that agree beforehand spend less, so I suggest a family meeting first.
Can the guardianship end?
Yes. If your parent recovers, the court can restore their rights, and I can help with that too.
Tell me what changed
A short call is enough to know whether a power of attorney will still work.