A guardianship is a court-supervised process in which a judge appoints someone to take responsibility for the care of a minor, to manage a minor’s property or, in some cases, both. When a guardianship of the person is established, the appointed guardian assumes the same caregiving duties and decision-making authority that a parent would have, including full legal and physical custody. A guardianship of the estate becomes necessary when a minor receives money or other assets that must be safeguarded and managed on their behalf. Guardians may be relatives, close family friends, or any individual the court determines is capable of providing appropriate care and oversight for the child.
At McCann Ellis Law, we assist clients in navigating the guardianship process, helping them establish a guardianship when one is required and understand their responsibilities once appointed.