When a person cannot care or protect themselves from neglect, abuse, or exploitation, the legal process to protect them is called guardianship. Being the guardian of a minor, you provide care for the child and manage his or her money. As a guardian of an incapacitated adult, you make decisions for that adult since they cannot make them on their own. The board-certified probate and estate planning attorney at Dunnam & Dunnam has notable skill in guardianship matters.
Since 1925, Wacoans have selected our law firm when it matters most. Our family owned law firm has served families like yours for generations in Central Texas. Let us help your family too. We have the skill, experience, and results to get the job done right.
Dunnam & Dunnam helps many people set up guardianships for minor children and incapacitated adults. We are knowledgeable of the guardianship laws and requirements and compassionate towards the parties.
Many kinds of guardianships exist to ensure the people you care about are taken care of. Are you concerned about a family member? Are you worried about the type of care a child is receiving?
When a person does not have proper estate planning before becoming incapacitated, it may become unavoidable to establish a court-supervised guardianship. In those matters, a court will designate a guardian who will have the power to make binding legal decisions on behalf of the incapacitated individual or minor.
A legal guardian has serious responsibility and legal authority to take care of another person’s personal and property interests. Guardians are appointed in cases where a person cannot take care of themselves because they are too young or suffer other incapacity or disability.
In most states, parents of a minor child are the legal guardians of that child and may designate a guardian in the event of their deaths. A legal guardian designated either by a family member or the courts has the power and responsibility to handle the ward’s wellbeing and property. In some cases, a special guardian may be appointed. That special guardian does not have the broad powers of a legal guardian. For example, a special guardian may be responsible for the ward’s wellbeing but have only limited control of the ward’s property.
Due to our focus on this area, families throughout Central Texas seeking to protect an incapacitated loved one or a minor look to the Waco guardianship attorneys at Dunnam & Dunnam to advise on guardianships and guide them through the complete court-supervised process.
The legal process starts with an Application for Appointment of Permanent Guardian. That application will be filed in the county where the child lives. The application must include:
Not just anyone can be a guardian of a minor in Texas. A hearing where evidence is examined to prove that the proposed guardian is fit to serve as a guardian will occur in a probate court.
A guardianship for an incapacitated adult is complicated for both parties. There is a similar application process for becoming the guardian of an incapacitated adult as a minor. Evidence will be presented, proving that the incapacitated adult cannot care for themselves and make decisions for themselves. Additionally, the proposed guardian will have to present evidence demonstrating that they are fit to and have the resources to care for someone else.
Guardianship may be suitable when:
Our comprehensive guardianship services include the following:
When you call the Waco guardianship attorneys, you will speak directly with a qualified Waco guardianship lawyer, with no commitment required.
If you need a Guardianship Law law firm or Guardianship Law attorney in Waco, Texas, or Central Texas, Dunnam & Dunnam and its attorneys are here to help you.
Guardianship Law involves the preparation and review of legal documents, the resolution of disputes by negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation, and the furnishing of other legal advice and services concerning matters such as those involving:
Contact one of our guardianship law attorneys by calling us at 254-753-6437.
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