Your Guides Through All The Details Of A Guardianship
Last updated on August 1, 2024
A guardianship allows one person to make legal, financial and medical decisions for someone who has lost the ability to make these choices for themselves. At Callahan | Barraco, we understand the complex and often emotional nature of guardianships.
As esteemed family law and estate planning attorneys, we have worked with hundreds of clients in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire to secure guardianships over a loved one. We also regularly write guardianship documents proactively in case of your injury or death.
Seeking A Guardianship: What To Know
The first step in seeking a guardianship is to file a petition along with a medical certificate demonstrating the respondent’s lack of capacity. The court will schedule a hearing at which you must make your case for the guardianship. You have the right to have a lawyer represent you. Then, the judge will issue a decision either in favor of or against the guardianship. Because the process is so complicated and fraught with emotion, you can rely on us to assist you with every step that you face.
Why Put A Guardianship In Your Estate Plan?
You can have the control to select the person to whom you entrust your life if you lose your capacity. If you have children, you can also appoint the guardian you would like them to live with in the even that you die. Proactive planning can also make things much easier for your family, allowing them to avoid the stressful and time-consuming court process.
Speak With Our Team Today
Whether you want to put guardianship instructions in your estate plan or the time has come to seek a guardianship for a loved one, Callahan | Barraco can help. Reach out to us for an initial consultation about your options. Please call us at 508-271-7963 or send us an email.