Guardianship Attorneys in Houston Helping You Understand Guardianship

Choosing a guardian for a minor child, an elderly parent, a vulnerable adult, or contesting a guardian when the wrong person is in the position, can weigh on you. It’s an overwhelming task to pick the right person, and it can cause strife and friction among family members when there’s a disagreement about guardianship.

Our guardianship lawyers are no strangers to the sensitivity and vulnerability of guardianship decisions on both sides of the fence, whether you’re planning or reacting to a bad situation. We treat our clients with compassion, kindness, and understanding, a sit’s never easy. The big decisions never are.

We help our clients find comfort and peace of mind in the estate planning process, including steps to ensure the right people are in place as caretakers for their minor children, disabled loved ones, or elderly parents when they can’t care for themselves.

From conflict to confusion to clarity, we’re here for it all, and we help you work through it with finesse. Our well-seasoned attorneys have experience in probate and guardianship litigation.

When it’s time to make big decisions for your family, it’s time to pick up the phone and call The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC. Book a free consultation today: 281-214-6541.

What is a Guardianship?

A legal guardian assumes legal responsibility for a minor child, special needs person, or elderly adult when they are not of age to care for themselves or are not physically or mentally able to care for themselves. Guardianships can be temporary or permanent.

Parents might plan for legal guardianship during the estate planning process to plan for unexpected situations like injury,  death, incarceration, or when an older adult needs care.

Legal guardians have authority and control over another person or people and are responsible for making decisions on their behalf. This includes decisions about medical and financial issues, education and basic care, support, and discipline. In summary, a legal guardian is responsible for living necessities and daily care.

Our guardianship lawyers with The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC can be a part of the guardianship process to ensure all legal requirements are met. Our firm will be useful in helping you plan for guardianship needs as part of the estate planning process or if you need legal support in applying for guardianship over another individual.

Book a free consultation with our guardianship lawyers to determine the next steps. Call us today: 281-214-6541.

What is a Contested Guardianship?

A legal guardian steps in to make decisions on behalf of your children, an elderly or disabled person for whom you have a responsibility, or an estate when you’re not medically able or upon your passing. Emotions can run high when it comes to death and grief. And it’s sometimes even further exacerbated when young children or elderly parents are involved.

Family members might disagree with a decision to appoint a certain person in a guardianship role. When this happens, a person can contest a guardianship with the help of a guardianship lawyer or family law attorney.

When an appointed guardian is assigned, one of the most common legal issues is contested guardianship. A person might question a guardianship if:

• Daily, basic living necessities, care, and support are not being met
• Emotional stability issues or mental or physical health issues appear
• Poor decision-making as it relates to healthcare or medical treatment is evident
• Neglect is occurring as it relates to food, clothing, or shelter
• Physical abuse or abuse of power related to money is suspected
• The proposed guardian is not following the guidelines of the guardianship appointment
• Mismanagement of finances or decisions related to the estate are observed
• Lack of communication with other family members causes issues

If you need to contest a guardianship or your guardianship is in question, it’s time to contact The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC. We can help you file a petition to the court regarding guardianship rights and litigate if necessary. Book a free call with one of our guardianship lawyers today: 281-214-6541.

What is the Guardianship Litigation Process Like?

When your loved one is at risk due to a guardianship situation, litigation might be necessary to protect their best interests. Guardianship litigation is a legal process that helps individuals and families resolve disputes related to guardianship. These disputes may include who should be appointed guardian, the scope of the guardianship powers, or modifications to existing orders.

When considering guardianship litigation, it’s important to know your rights and understand the different types of legal action available. If matters can’t be resolved through mediation or negotiation, then you may need to consider filing a petition with the court for intervention.

In general, the first step in the guardianship litigation process is determining which type of petition is appropriate for your case. In some cases, an emergency petition may be necessary to quickly appoint a guardian or limit the existing powers of a current guardian. Other petitions might seek to modify or terminate the guardianship altogether. As always, seeking experienced legal help from the specialists at The Hatchett Law Firm, PLLC can make all the difference in the world for these types of cases.

Why Book a Free Consultation with our Guardianship Lawyers?

Families come first in our business.

If you need to appoint a guardian, you’re about to become a legal guardian, or you need to contest a guardianship, our guardianship lawyers can help you better understand your rights, legal options, and next steps specific to your circumstances.

When planning to appoint a legal guardian, we can help you determine the best type of guardianship based on your goals, including full, limited, short-term, or temporary. Our team will prepare and file the guardianship application and paperwork to ensure it is legally binding.

If you’re about to assume the role of a guardian, our attorneys can set you up for success and help you understand your legal responsibilities – and even litigate your guardianship agreement to protect your rights.

Whatever your scenario related to guardianship, we’re with you every step of the way. Book a free consultation with our guardianship lawyers and start working through your guardianship petition or contested guardianship issues: 281-214-6541.