Experienced Texas Guardianship Attorneys. Fleischmann Legal Group provides comprehensive guardianship services for elderly parents and special needs children, including court representation and ongoing support.
Fleischmann Legal Group's attorneys focus their legal practice on guardianship law, probate law, and estate planning. By focusing on a single area of law, the law office can provide great legal service, personal attention, and affordable fees.
When an elderly adult or a young person with special needs has become legally incapacitated, a court can name a guardian for the incapacitated person. The guardian becomes responsible for the care of the incapacitated person (the "ward," in legal terminology).
Becoming a guardian involves taking on a large responsibility and legal duty. For this reason, the courts do not take guardianship lightly. The potential guardian must attend at least one guardianship court hearing, and this requires a guardianship lawyer.
When an elderly parent becomes unable to care for herself or himself due to Alzheimer's, dementia, or other mental incapacity, one of the children may seek to become the parent's guardian. Although guardianship may be necessary, the children should first consider the use of a power of attorney document or a Special Needs Trust.
Parents of special needs children may seek guardianship around the time the child reaches age 18. These parents understand that their child will need a legal guardian even as an adult. Consult with a lawyer to discuss guardianship and the alternatives, such as a Special Needs Trust (or "§ 867 Trust").
Contact a guardianship law office to schedule a free consultation. Discuss the alternatives, such as a trust or power of attorney. If guardianship is the best legal option for your situation, the guardianship attorney will file for a guardianship hearing.
Before the guardianship hearing at the probate court, the court will hire an independent attorney ad litem to satisfy the court that guardianship really is in the ward's best interest.
Schedule a free consultation with North Texas guardianship attorneys by calling (817) 779-4070 for the Mansfield office, (214) 302-8197 for the Richardson office, or by using the online contact form.
Becoming a guardian involves taking on a large responsibility and legal duty. For this reason, the courts do not take guardianship lightly. The potential guardian must attend at least one guardianship court hearing, and this requires a guardianship lawyer. Guardianship law is handled by the probate courts, and these courts have well-established systems for handling guardianship matters:
Initial Consultation
Schedule a consultation with a guardianship attorney to help weigh the pros and cons of obtaining guardianship and explore alternatives.
Court Hearing
At the hearing, the proposed guardians, the guardianship attorney, and the attorney ad litem will testify to the judge that guardianship is necessary.
Ongoing Responsibilities
After the initial guardianship hearing, the guardian must file a report with the court annually, or more if there are changes in the ward's situation.
Long-term Commitment
The process of becoming legal guardian is relatively quick, but becoming a guardian is a long-term commitment with ongoing responsibilities.
When an elderly adult or a young person with special needs has become legally incapacitated, a court can name a guardian for the incapacitated person. The guardian becomes responsible for the care of the incapacitated person (the "ward," in legal terminology):
Don't navigate guardianship law alone. Contact Fleischmann Legal Group today to schedule your free consultation and get expert guidance for your guardianship case.
