Guardianships and conservatorships are legal tools intended to provide care and guidance for minors who are lacking parental care and of adults who are unable to make their own decisions.
When the court establishes a guardianship for a child, teenager or adult, another adult takes on the role that parents usually perform in that person’s life. Legal guardianship for a young person may be necessary because parents have died, are in jail, are incompetent or are unable to care for their children for some reason.
The legal guardian has the authority to approve of medical care for the child, enroll him or her in school, give permission for travel plans and manage the child’s financial assets.
A legal guardian may be a grandparent or other relative or a non-family member such as a foster parent. Grandparents or other relatives who are caring for children on a short-term basis may only need a legal power of attorney from the parents rather than guardianship.
Guardianships are obtained through probate courts in Arizona. Your family law attorney can assist you in meeting legal requirements and completing required procedures to become a legal guardian.
A conservatorship, likewise, enables a conservator appointed by the court to make financial decisions for a minor or for an adult who is unable to manage his or her own affairs. Reasons for establishing a conservator may include mental illness, mental deficiency, physical illness or disability, drug or alcohol dependence or disappearance.
Do you need information on how to become a guardian or conservator? Arizona legal guardian attorney Stephanie Jackson or attorney Nicole Lasiter can advise and assist you. At Lasiter & Jackson, we provide understanding and compassion for clients in need of legal services related to parental-child relationships, divorce, family law, estate planning and probate. We are committed to obtaining positive results for each of our clients. Our lawyers strive to provide qualified case assessment at a reasonable cost, beginning with the initial consultation.
Contact our law office in Phoenix to discuss your questions about a guardianship or conservatorship in Arizona.
