An experience attorney who specializes in probate and guardianship, estate planning and elder law can be invaluable when a loved one passes away or is incapacitated. The representation provided to those in regard to probate matters include the administration of estates, both large and small as well as trust administration. When a loved one has passed away leaving assets behind, your attorney’s responsibility is to navigate you through the process and ensure that the administration is handled in a quick and efficient manner and that beneficiaries receive what they are entitled to.
Guardianship proceedings occur when someone has become incapacitated and are no longer competent to handle their affairs – personal and/or financial. If this occurs, then someone (usually a family member or close friend) petitions the Court to initiate guardianship proceedings.
A three-person examining committee, which includes specialized physicians, examine the alleged incapacitated person to determine to what extent they are incapable of handling their affairs. If a person is deemed incapacitated, in part or whole, then the Court appoints a Guardian.
The Guardian is required to then manage the affairs of the person, file the appropriate reports with the Court and act within the confines of the law. What a guardian can and cannot do is often complicated and sometimes requires prior court approval.
Your attorney’s estate planning practice involves counseling with individuals and couples to assist them in preparing the right estate plan that fits their family and financial needs. The services will include preparing trusts, last will and testaments, powers of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, etc. Everyone’s situation is unique and part of the process is figuring out what you need rather than just preparing the same documents for everyone.
Regardless of the services you need, Helping Hands of Central Florida will align you with an experienced attorney who will listen to your needs and be there for you when needed. This might mean answering questions, explaining difficult and confusing legal issues or just being there to listen to your story.
