Make the Crucial Decisions Now
It might be hard to envision a time when you cannot choose for yourself, when you might require another trusted person to make crucial decisions for you. By planning ahead, you can, at least, get someone you trust appointed to make these decisions for you, and you can communicate your preferences.
At the West Palm Beach, Florida, law firm of Mitchell I. Kitroser, P.A., we can help you with your guardianship. Our attorneys can use our more than 35 years of combined experience to help you.
Guardianships
Guardianship is an agency relationship in which a court-appointed person or agency has the power to make decisions for the incapacitated persona (the ward), because the ward is legally unable to make these decisions for himself or herself. If you need a guardian and haven't previously designated one, the court will appoint one, either from the family or a professional organization.
You can use pre-need designation of guardianship document to express your desire in advance as to who you would want to serve as your guardian, who you don't want to be your guardian, and your preferences regarding the decisions to be made.
There are many types of guardianships that we help clients with:
- Appointment of agent for a minor child: Both parents are authorized to make decisions regarding their children, but in the event of an extended vacation, or an accident, you can establish someone ahead of time to be a child's guardian and make medical decisions in case of emergency.
- Elder guardianship: When the court determines that an elderly person is incapacitated (no longer able to handle some or all of the tasks of daily life without assistance), the court will establish an adult guardianship. We can help establish the terms of this guardianship in advance to ensure that the guardian is someone you can trust, and make sure your needs and preferences are communicated through this document.
- Guardianship for developmentally disabled: In matters concerning developmentally disabled children, Florida provides for a less restrictive alternative to guardianship called guardian advocacy, which addresses the needs of the individual child in a less restrictive fashion.
- Defense against guardianship in inappropriate circumstances: Sadly, there are some instances when a person will attempt to become guardian for personal reasons of his or her own, not in the best interests of the alleged incapacitated person. In these instances, we provide vigorous defense against what is, in reality, just another form of exploitation.
- Living Wills: This is a document communicating your preferences regarding invasive medical procedures in end-of-life situations, so that when you can't communicate this information, your doctors and loved ones will know what you prefer. Our lawyers can help create and implement this helpful document.
We also represent guardians in ongoing guardianship proceedings, helping with the financial reporting and other requirements to make sure you are complying with the statutory requirements as a guardian.
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Contact us online for a consultation concerning a guardianship question or concern.
