Florida Guardianship Attorney

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In life's journey, we strive to navigate our paths with independence and autonomy, cherishing the freedom to make our own decisions. Yet, as we grow older, certain circumstances may arise where safeguarding our well-being becomes paramount. This is where the experience of a compassionate  Florida guardianship attorney can provide invaluable support.

At times, elder law attorneys may advocate for alternatives to guardianship, seeking to empower individuals to maintain control over their lives through careful planning. However, there are situations where guardianship can offer a shield of protection, ensuring that vulnerable loved ones receive the attention and care they truly deserve.

Our mission at Elder Needs Law is to navigate these delicate situations with sensitivity and professionalism, understanding that each individual's needs are unique. As your trusted Florida guardianship attorney, we strive to explore every avenue available, always with your best interests at heart.

Contact us today, and let us embark on this path of protection and care together. Your loved one's well-being is our utmost priority.

Elder Needs Law serves communities all throughout Florida, including Miami, Aventura, Boca Raton, Plantation, Kendall, and more.

When Is Guardianship Needed?

Elder Law attorneys and Medicaid planning lawyers (essentially incapacity planning lawyers) are very much interested in avoiding guardianship, if at all possible, in an estate-planning and Medicaid-planning context. We prefer a well-drafted, enhanced, durable power of attorney, which is the voluntary delegation of one's rights. This is especially useful once an elder cannot act for themselves (becomes incapacitated).

Guardianship, on the other hand, involves the involuntary delegation of one's rights when they are incapacitated or unable to make decisions for themselves. Guardianship is literally the act of a Court coming in and taking away one's rights.

We will use guardianship when something needs to be done, but documents are insufficient to accomplish the goal, or we are concerned that the person making decisions on behalf of the elder is not doing so in the elder or incapacitated person's best interest. Herein lays the only advantage to a guardianship proceeding - that being court oversight.

When the court gets a petition for guardianship, it appoints a committee that writes a report suggesting a degree of the capacity of the AIP (alleged incapacitated person) with suggestions. The court will appoint an attorney (not me, this elder law firm only represents the petitioner seeking guardianship). That attorney's job is to make sure that everything is legit. If uncontested, the guardianship process takes a short period of time.

The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is one test of capacity used by the guardianship committee mental health professionals to determine the AIP's level of capacity and whether they are alert and oriented.

If a person is obviously completely incapacitated when their family comes seeking Medicaid-planning services, and the proper incapacity planning documents were not previously executed, the Florida Guardianship process will be a necessary evil. As discussed above, if the elder is really concerned about their designated agents misappropriating their funds and available resources, sometimes a voluntary guardianship is instituted to have the value of court oversight.

Professional Guardians and Family Guardians should consult with a Miami Elder Care Attorney to discuss how best to preserve the incapacitated person's assets so they can receive the best quality of care possible. Read more about how Medicaid planning and guardianship works here.

Contact a Florida Guardianship Attorney Today

If you need to appoint a guardian, we understand that it is not a decision to be taken lightly. At Elder Needs Law, we firmly believe guardianship should always be considered a last resort, employed only when all other options have been thoroughly explored. Our compassionate approach to elder law ensures that we exhaust all possibilities to preserve the dignity and autonomy of those we serve.

If you find yourself facing the challenging prospect of guardianship for a loved one, remember that you don't have to navigate this difficult path alone. Consulting with an experienced Aventura guardianship attorney is crucial to understanding the complexities of the legal process and making informed decisions that align with the incapacitated person's best interests.

At Elder Needs Law, we are dedicated to providing personalized guidance and unwavering support throughout the guardianship process. Our team of skilled attorneys in Florida is committed to safeguarding the well-being of your loved ones while upholding their rights and wishes with the utmost respect.

Let us be your advocates, your pillars of strength, and your source of reliable counsel. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation, and together, we will find the most compassionate and effective solutions for the ones you hold dear.

Take the first step toward securing the future of your loved ones. Contact Elder Needs Law now, and entrust the care of your family to experienced hands. Your peace of mind is our priority, and we are here to serve you with dedication and understanding.

Elder Law Resources

Summary of Florida Trust Code

Summary of Florida Guardianship Code