When a loved one is no longer able to manage their financial or personal affairs, a guardianship may be needed. The same is true if someone needs to have the authority to act for a minor or to manage the minor’s property.
The term “guardianship” refers to the court supervision of an incapacitated person. The court appoints a guardian legal authority to make personal and/or financial decisions for the incapacitated person.
The appointment of a guardian is a serious event. The “ward” is losing their legal authority to act for themselves. The process can be intrusive and costly. Given this reality, the courts go to great lengths to ensure that a guardianship is needed and that the proposed guardian is qualified.
Texas leads the way in improving guardianship proceedings and alternatives to
guardianship, as well it should. Texas courts have 51,000 open guardianship cases involving $5
billion, and those numbers will increase as the population ages—by 2030, the number of Texans
over age 65 will double, to six million. Courts lack resources to monitor these cases to ensure
compliance with statutory protections, leading to neglect, abuse, and exploitation of the wards.
Those suffering from mental capacity issues may qualify to have a guardian appointed.
Those with less permanent challenges usually will not. This includes those who have acute drug additions, alcoholics, or those with destructive financial habits.
Guardianship is not appropriate if there is a less intrusive alternative. These alternatives include the:
The courts require clear and convincing evidence that these alternatives are not feasible before they will appoint a guardian.
The courts generally give preference to the following persons when deciding who can serve as the guardian:
If the ward is a minor and is at least 12, the minor may select a guardian in writing, subject to the
court’s finding that it is in the best interest of the minor.
The process starts with the filing of an application, an assessment by third parties, and then a court hearing. Most courts require an application be filed by a guardianship attorney.
The courts can also initiate a guardianship if they receive information that the appointment of a guardian is needed for a person located in the county.
The guardianship can be temporary or permanent. The court can appoint the guardian powers to act for the ward’s property, the ward’s person, or both.
Once appointed, the guardian is supervised by the court. This supervision is carried out by requiring annual reporting, annual visits by a court visitor, and an annual review to determine whether the guardianship should be continued.
We help clients navigate this process. If you have questions about getting appointed as guardian or abuses by a guardian, call us today to get in touch with our leading guardianship attorneys in Houston, TX with Kreig, LLC.
Our Houston Probate Attorneys provide a full range of probate services to our clients, including helping with probate administrations. Affordable rates, fixed fees, and payment plans are available. We provide step-by-step instructions, guidance, checklists, and more for completing the probate process. We have years of combined experience we can use to support and guide you with probate and estate matters.
Disclaimer: The content of this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice and should not be acted upon without consulting a qualified probate attorney.
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