There are occasions when someone is unable to care for themselves. This could either be a minor or an adult who can no longer make safe and sound decisions regarding their person or property. On these occasions, it is best for the person to have a guardian. A guardianship is a legal arrangement that places an individual under the supervision of a guardian. This guardian is typically a family member or friend who is appointed by the court.
A guardianship of a person may relegate the following responsibilities to an appointed guardian:
- Determining and maintaining residence
- Providing informed consent to and supervising medical treatment
- Making end-of-life decisions
- Consenting to and supervising educational decisions
- Paying debts and other expenses
- Maintaining the protected person’s autonomy as much as possible
A guardianship may also be used to protect the legal rights of a minor in the event that a parent is no longer able to act on behalf of his or her child. A minor may be eligible for a legal guardianship if his or her parent cannot provide adequate shelter, does not have a steady income, suffers from an illness or is otherwise unable to provide adequate care.
At Neal Ashmore, our firm can assist you in the creation of a guardianship to protect an individual you love.
