Guardianships are often complicated and challenging to navigate, with potentially steep costs. However, they are frequently necessary, making it important for individuals seeking guardianship advice to work with someone who has extensive experience in these matters throughout Arizona and the Southwest.
If you believe you require guardianship, whether for a minor child or an incapacitated adult, get in touch with us and consult with a Phoenix guardianship lawyer. Our respected estate planning attorneys could help determine whether you need guardianship and guide you through the process of establishing one.
What Is Guardianship and When Do You Need One?
A guardianship is a type of legal relationship in which a court appoints a person to make decisions for another who is unable to do so on their own. The person making the decisions serves as the guardian, while the person the guardian represents is called a ward.
If a person is unable to make decisions independently, legal guardianship could help protect that person by appointing someone close and trustworthy. There are various circumstances that may warrant guardianship. For example, a court may appoint a guardian when a minor child is too young to make significant independent decisions, when an adult becomes mentally incapacitated due to injury, disability, or illness, or when an elderly individual faces diminishing capacity with age.
Types of Guardianship
There are multiple types of guardianships that individuals in Phoenix can attempt to establish, including:
- Limited Guardianship — Enables a guardian to make certain decisions on the ward’s behalf, such as decisions around medical care
- Full Guardianship — Gives the guardian complete control over most decisions, including those around finances and healthcare
- Temporary Guardianship — Establishes guardianship for a limited period of time, such as during hospitalization
- Co-Guardianship — A court appoints two guardians to make decisions on a ward’s behalf
- Estate Guardian: Allows the guardian to handle a ward’s finances, such as making investments with the ward’s funds or paying bills on behalf of the ward
- Ad Litem Guardian: A guardian has the capacity to represent a ward in legal proceedings, often for purposes of child custody
Ultimately, the type of guardianship established will depend on the specific circumstances and the relationship between the potential guardian and the ward. A guardianship lawyer in Phoenix could help determine whether these protections are necessary and, if so, assist in navigating the process.
When to Hire a Guardianship Lawyer
When an individual needs to establish guardianship in Phoenix, a qualified lawyer can help in several key ways. For instance, someone might need help from a guardianship attorney if they are thinking about becoming a guardian for a potential ward. In other cases, a lawyer could provide assistance if someone needs help managing an already existing guardianship.
Dayes Law Firm could provide guidance on establishing any type of guardianship, fulfilling a guardian’s duties to the best of their abilities, and overcoming certain challenges that can arise throughout a guardianship.
Consult a Phoenix Guardianship Attorney to Discuss Your Needs
Guardianships are often difficult to navigate alone, which is why it’s often ideal to have a reliable guardianship lawyer in Phoenix to help you meet your unique needs. The right attorney can give you a better understanding of what guardianship would entail and your duties as a guardian, and you will be able to address any issues that could otherwise compromise your guardianship.
To find out what we can do for you, contact our offices today to schedule a free consultation.
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