Watching your loved one grow old or become injured and no longer able to care for themselves is mentally strenuous and often overwhelming.  If your loved one has not prepared for these situations with proper estate planning, a Guardianship is sometimes necessary to protect them from exploitation and ensure the safety of themselves and their assets.  Guardianship is a legal process in which a person’s rights are delegated to someone else to act on their behalf.   A Guardianship allows a trusted family member or other court appointed person to act as guardian and handle the incapacitated person’s (Ward) affairs while the court maintains supervision ensuring the guardian fulfills their duties and acts in the best interests of the Ward.

Florida Law also requires the court to appoint a guardian for minors in certain circumstances where the parents pass away or become incapacitated, or if a child receives an inheritance or proceeds of a lawsuit exceeding the amount allowed by statute, currently $15,000.

Guardian Advocacy is another special type of Florida Guardianship available for adult persons who have developmental disabilities.