New York Guardianship Law Lawyer

New York Guardianship Law Lawyer

When a person ages, is in an accident or has mental problems they are often unable to properly care for themselves. New York covers this possibility with Article 81 of New York’s Mental Hygiene Law. The two main sections of this law include Personal Needs Guardian and Property Management Guardian. In addition, there are specific sections regarding Guardianship Accounting and Implementation.

The first document to be prepared and filed with the court is a Guardianship Petition. This petition must be carefully composed to include all information required by the court. This lists the alleged incapacitated person (“AIP”)’s name and circumstances. The petitioner must assert its accuracy and have the document notarized prior to being submitted to the court.

This document must also contain information regarding the AIP’s ability to care for himself or herself, any illness or other limitations, description of debts, obligations, income and assets. In addition, it must list the powers the petitioner is seeking such as managing the AIP’s property and/or attending to their personal needs.

Once the petition is filed, the AIP and all relatives must be notified with a Notice of Guardianship Proceedings. (Section 81.07 of the MHL)

The AIP will be notified of the petition, place and time of the Guardianship hearing and that a Court Evaluator has been appointed. It is the job of this evaluator appointee’s job is to meet with the AIP, investigate other persons connected with the case and be present at all Court proceedings. It is also his job to make recommendations, to the court, regarding the authenticity of the petition.

The court may appoint one guardian to handle all of the AIP’s affairs or may appoint two different ones to handle personal needs or property management. The guardian or guardians must keep meticulous records of all transactions, which can be reviewed at any time.

Personal Needs Guardian Responsibilities to the Incapacitated Person:

• Personal care and welfare

• Living quarters

• Medical care/dental treatment

• Allowing travel

• Permitting to drive

• Care of personal records

Property Management Guardian Responsibilities to the Incapacitated Person

• Manage real estate

• Manage bank and brokerage accounts

• Apply for Incapacitated person’s benefits (i.e. social security)

• Pay bills and expenses

The AIP has the right to dispute his or her need of a guardian. In addition, there are often relatives or other interested parties who either do not feel the AIP needs a guardian or want to take on the role themselves.

Guardianship petitions and execution in New York are very complicated. Often, one tiny thing left out can cause a rejection. New York laws regarding guardianship of incapacitated people are very complex.

Therefore, it makes sense that it is in the best interest of the petitioner to seek the services of a lawyer who is experienced in this field. He or she will be able to gather information to present to the court that will solidify your case.

With personal knowledge of the law, and court experience, such a lawyer will also be able to guide you through each step from the original petition to the responsibilities of the appointment. This is especially true when the guardianship is contested and requires a length court session.

A person who is too young to make self-decisions or cannot sustain and take care of fundamental interests; the guardian law gives the court the go-ahead to choose somebody to make legal welfare decisions on behalf of them. Legalized guardians are also legit partial decision makers or all-purpose decision-maker. For instance, kids with divorced parents often receive limited legal guardian to ensure their entire welfare decisions are made for them. Usually, guardianship lawyers advise the clients about the suitable legal guardianship for specific issues they are facing. The guardians also aid the guardianship forms and legalized paperwork and take the responsibility of representing the guardian when one is selected.

Guardianships are categorized into two types as it is in the court system, they include: having a guardian for the child and a guardian for the adult person who is unable to meet his basic need. If there are any guardianship issues, which may emerge from an individual not a minor, the Supreme Court handle the issue. A parent who is no longer in a position to take care of a kid, it becomes a responsibility of Family court to handle the matter. In a case, anyone’s family faces cases in which a child’s parents can’t meet the basics, or in situations, the family involves an adult’s loved one who can’t care of the needs. Then inform the guardianship lawyer to handle these legal issues facing anybody’s family irrespective of the place one is.

The New York Guardianship Law Lawyers recognizes a pre-assumption available governing the law of individuals above 18years that they should control their own affairs. Although in the case of an adult who has a disability or incapacitated should appear before the court. It is then the court will look into their issues and call a doctor if necessary to evaluate the person. Instances of voluntary guardianship, for example an elderly individual decides his or her care and property he or she possess but are in the hands of somebody reliable.

Minors can be given guardian in circumstances their parents are incapacitated of taking care of them, or in cases of death, abandonment, any abuse, through negligence or any other valid issue. This child can be provided with a temporary care of a close relative, for example, grandparents, and the guardian will have a full legal authority that the parent had.

In cases of divorce, the divorce process can be simpler if some of the amicable divorces have are fast potential to become messy and bitter. The New York Guardianship Law Lawyers, are there to assist and help through settling the issues and smoothly dividing the marital investments and properties, child custody plans since they have superior expertise and experience of handling divorce issues.

All age categories that are not able to make decisions or communicate their choices about personal life, then it becomes a responsibility of the court to appoint a guardian who will take the task of making such decisions on their behalf as well as manage their personal affairs. The Supreme Court can select someone to be a guardian to take care of all individual aspects. Also, it can appoint somebody to take care of the property-real estate property of a child or an incapacitated adult. New York Guardianship Law Lawyers will be of help in selecting a personal guardian and property guardian and give legal services that best fit the client’s situation.

It is evident that guardianship has a significant role in regard to to personal rights of incapacitated adult or minor. New York Guardianship Law Lawyers are here to determine who will make legal decisions for another person.

Guardianship is a relationship that can arise when a court appoints a guardian to care for a child or an adult that is incapable of taking care of himself. The family court handles cases where guardianship has to be established for a minor while the Supreme Court must be involved in cases where a guardian has to be appointed for a person who is 18 years or older. Whenever it is found that a parent is either unable or unwilling to take care of a child, the family court can exercise its authority and appoint a guardian for the child.

If you have a family member who is either unwilling or unable to care for his or her children or you have an adult family member that is not able to take care of his or her affairs, speak with a NYC guardianship law lawyer, today. This professional will provide you with free initial legal advice and help you weigh your options under the law.

Guardianship for Adults

In New York, and in many other jurisdictions, there is a general assumption that persons who are 18 years or older can take care of themselves. However, when a case of an adult is brought to court seeking guardianship for an adult that is either disabled or incapacitated, the court will evaluate the case based on its own merits. If need be, a medical doctor might be called upon to give expert witness as to whether the adult person qualifies to be considered incapacitated or disabled.

Guardianship for children

A child who has not reached a majority age (18 years) may end up with a court-appointed guardian if its parents are either unable or unwilling to take care of it. The child may be put under the care of a relative, e.g. grandparent for a specified duration of time. The court-appointed guardian will have the same legal authority that parents have.

Application for guardianship

There are other special cases where an individual might decide to rescue a child by applying to become its legal guardian. To become a legal guardian for a minor, you must formally apply and follow the following steps:

i. Obtain the required forms from the family court and fill them out.

You will be required to obtain the basic forms from the probate court and fill them as per the instructions. Two main forms that you must fill include petitions for appointment of the guardian for the minor and child custody affidavit. When filling the first form, you can either propose yourself as the guardian or propose another person whom you feel is sufficiently qualified. The second form will contain details of where the child has been living and whether there are other parties that might be interested in the case.

ii. File the forms

You can file the duly filled forms with the probate court by either hand delivering them to the court or sending them via mail. Make sure that you retain a copy.

iii. Notify the other parties

You are duty-bound to notify all the other parties involved in the petition. The parties may include:

• The child if he or she is 14 years or older and has not consented to the guardianship.
• The persons who were taking care of the child 60 days before the case was filed
• The parents of the minor

iv. Probate court hearing

The court will then hear the case and determine it based on its merits.

v. The court approves or denies guardianship

Based on its findings, the court will either approve the application for guardianship or not.

How an attorney can help

Whether you are applying for guardianship or would like to prevent another from becoming a guardian, you need to speak to our skilled and experienced NYC Guardianship Law Lawyer who will help advise you on what you need to do to improve the chances of winning your case. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.