Guardianships
Being tasked with caring for an incompetent loved one can be emotionally and physically draining. It can be legally confusing as well. If your loved one is unable to make necessary decisions on their own due to a medical condition or mental illness, guardianship may be the right route. It is important to work with your attorney in order to obtain the best result for your family member.
Guardianship is a legal relationship in which the person (guardian) is appointed by the court to make decisions for and act on behalf of another individual. A Guardian can manage their personal and/or financial affairs in the event that they cannot communicate or they lack sufficient capacity to manage their affairs.
A guardianship can typically be avoided with early estate planning. However, in cases where a family member unexpectedly or suddenly loses the competency to manage their own affairs, it may be necessary. Guardianship may also be necessary for minor Special Needs children when they turn 18 years old and are unable to manage their own affairs.
There are different types of guardians, and they include:
Guardianship of a Person
They assist the individual with day-to-day decisions, such as locating sound housing and obtaining medical care.
Guardianship of the Estate
They are granted the power to manage money and make financial decisions for the individual in need, and they may be close friends or family, or public entities.
At Capital to Coast NC Law Group, our lawyers will work with you and your family in order to make the guardianship process as easy as possible. If you believe you have a loved one who may benefit from guardianship, call us today to set up an appointment today at one of our locations in Cary, NC, Greenville, NC, and Emerald Isle, NC.