Guardianship
Phoenix, Arizona Guardianship Attorney
Protecting the Rights and Interests of Your Loved Ones
Legally speaking, a guardian is a court-appointed person who is legally responsible for the healthcare, educational, legal and sometimes financial, decisions of a vulnerable adult - or child — in need. If you need a lawyer to help establish a guardianship for a parent, elderly relative or minor child, the Deloughery Law Office, PLC in Scottsdale, Arizona, can help. We provide the advice and counsel you need to provide unconditional care to your loved one while avoiding disputes with other members of the family.
Contact our Scottsdale office to discuss your legal concerns with an experience guardianship lawyer. Our experienced Phoenix, Arizona guardianship attorneys skillfully represent clients throughout both Arizona and Minnesota seeking help with a variety of probate issues, estate planning matters, business law concerns and family disputes.
Is your loved one sick and in need of immediate medical care? We can often help clients establish an emergency guardianship in just a matter of days.
Helping Our Clients Understand Their Obligations and Avoid Legal Disputes
Guardianship is an often misunderstood area of the law. You may be called upon to be a guardian of a minor child or close relative but have only partial or completely inaccurate knowledge of what the job actually entails. You may have no idea that moving the ward out of state or failing to closely and properly account for their assets could lead to a breach of fiduciary duty on your part, and may jeopardize their eligibility for government assistance benefits and any inheritance they were due.
At Deloughery Law Office, PLC, we spend time with each client, taking the time to fully explain a guardian's role and have an in-depth discuss of the responsibilities associated with guardianship. Our goal is to have your fulfill your duties thoroughly, properly and in a way that avoids future legal conflicts. Some of the many responsibilities you have as guardian include:
- Controlling the ward's assets to the extent that you are responsible for payment of living expenses and medical bills
- Providing an accounting to the court at least once a year to ensure compliance with guardianship responsibilities
- Ensuring compliance with your loved one's wishes by medical staff, healthcare providers, religious officiates and others in positions of authority
- Keeping other family members and loved ones informed of decisions you make on the ward's behalf, as well as providing updates about the ward's medical and/or financial status when requested
- Ensuring the family member is given adequate medical care and has necessary access to assets while still allowing him or her as much independence as possible under the given circumstances
Serving the Interests of Guardians and Their Loved Ones
It can be devastating to see an adult loved one lose some of their independence or for a child to suddenly find themselves in need of an adult guardian. You understand, however, when your loved one cannot make important health, financial, religious or educational decisions on his or her own behalf (whether due to youth, old age, incapacity or illness), the best step may be necessary to appoint a legal guardian on his or her behalf.
The Phoenix, Arizona guardianship attorneys at Deloughery Law Office, PLC, understand the importance of legal guardianships and the role they play in ensuring adequate health services and care. They are also sensitive to the needs and wishes of adult or children in need of a guardian, and will do whatever it takes to protect their interests.
Contact Our Law Firm
At the Deloughery Law Office, PLC in Scottsdale, Arizona, we understand the importance of maintaining an elderly or vulnerable person's sense of independence. But for those instances when a guardianship is necessary, we can inform our clients of their obligations and assist them in fulfilling their duties as a legal guardian. Contact us today to discuss your situation with an experienced, compassionate lawyer.
