Spokane Guardianships Lawyer

Spokane Guardianships Attorney

Some people are unable to adequately oversee their own lives or their financial matters. If your parent, spouse, or another family member is incapable of making important decisions, you may want to explore guardianship. Guardianships are a formal way to protect your family when necessary. A Spokane guardianships lawyer can help decide if guardianship is needed.

The Legal Hill, PLLC, handles adult guardianships as well as minor guardianships. We are committed to exploring all possible options to take comprehensive care of an incapacitated loved one. We can answer your guardianship questions and help you decide whether guardianship is right for your situation. If you need help with an adult or minor child guardianship, please contact our office.

Guardianships

A guardianship is a legally enforceable arrangement where a court appoints either a person or an entity to make important decisions for someone when they’re unable to make them themselves. Such an arrangement can include information about decisions for their health care, personal affairs, financial matters, property, and more. A guardianship can be used when an adult is unable to continue to make responsible decisions or when a child may need care or supervision.

Generally, to become someone’s guardian, you must go to court to have a judge decide whether someone can make their own important decisions or whether they need a guardian for help. The court decides who the guardian is and what decisions the guardian has authority to make.

Adult Guardianships Considered

Two types of guardianship exist to help if someone becomes incapacitated for reasons such as chronic illness, dementia, or a severe accident. You can consider either a guardianship of a person to oversee someone’s physical care or a guardianship of an estate to oversee someone’s financial matters.

Seniors are protected under Washington guardianship law, as they can remain extremely independent and control their own decisions whenever possible. To decide whether guardianship is needed, the court usually evaluates whether someone can make their own decisions.

Washington courts won’t usually approve guardianship unless other alternatives have proven ineffective and guardianship is now deemed necessary. Guardianships are typically only an option when other methods are unavailable. To determine whether guardianship is appropriate, a court usually examines whether less restrictive methods of assistance were pursued first. This could include:

• A financial or medical power of attorney
• The formation of a trust with protections
• Appointing a representative payee who could receive and manage government benefits
• A protective order

Types of Guardianship

Once the court decides that the less restrictive options are no longer providing protective benefits, guardianship can be explored. Guardianship options include either full guardianship, where comprehensive authority is provided to the guardian, or limited guardianship, where only certain rights are given to the guardian.

The guardianship process can be time-consuming, as it typically lasts until the person under the guardianship passes away or has their decision-making rights restored. If you’re considering guardianship for an adult or a minor, an experienced guardianships lawyer in Spokane can provide reliable legal advice. They can discuss how to appropriately help your loved one and preserve their right to be as independent as possible.

Minor Guardianships

A minor guardianship is a arrangement where a court names a responsible adult to care for minors whose parents aren’t present and cannot perform typical parental duties and tasks. These guardians take an important role in nurturing the child, including healthcare, housing, and education. Ensuring that children have someone responsible for their well-being during trying times provides stability and organization in their lives.

How a Spokane Guardianships Lawyer Can Help Me

An attorney familiar with guardianship law can provide assistance with your individual concerns. They can help:

• Represent your interests throughout the process

• Prepare, file, and present reports to the court as necessary

• Help with every aspect of managing a guardianship

• Assist with exploring all options for your family member consistent with Washington guardianship law

• Provide compassionate assistance, especially when an individual wants to fight against needing a legal guardian

• Allow you a safe space to talk

Contact The Legal Hill, PLLC, for assistance with both adult and minor guardianship matters. We can schedule an initial client consultation right away and answer your important questions.

FAQs

What Does a Spokane Guardianships Lawyer Cost?

The cost to retain a Spokane guardianships attorney depends on the complexity of your case and the level of experience of the attorney you retain. More complicated matters and more experienced attorneys tend to cost more. However, with an experienced attorney working on your behalf, you have a higher likelihood of success with your case.

If you’re ready to speak with an experienced attorney, we can discuss our written fee schedule and help with your guardianship matter.

What Legal Rights Might Be Impacted By a Guardianship?

Each guardianship is different, but some of your legal rights that might be impacted could include whether someone can buy and sell property, vote, get married or divorced, make their own healthcare decisions, manage their own finances, or drive a vehicle.

The team at The Legal Hill, PLLC, can further discuss all potential legal rights that might be impacted by the creation of a guardianship and whether it’s a beneficial option for your unique situation.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Guardianship Finalized in Spokane?

In Spokane, the amount of time your guardianship might take to get finalized depends on the circumstances of your individual case, which can depend on how long it takes to notify family members, hold a hearing, and conduct/complete an investigation. An experienced attorney can discuss your circumstances and help estimate how long the guardianship process might take in your situation.

Is a Guardianship That Was Created in Another State Valid in Washington?

Yes, so long as the guardianship remains active in the state where it was created and the guardian has not done anything to compromise the guardianship with the other state’s court, it remains valid. Each state has different guardianship laws and requirements, so it’s important to consult an experienced Spokane guardianship lawyer for help with any questions you have about the enforceability of out-of-state guardianships. Contact The Legal Hill, PLLC, right away.

Contact The Legal Hill, PLLC – Experienced Spokane Guardianships Lawyers

At The Legal Hill, PLLC, we can represent you during a guardianship matter. We deliver top-tier legal assistance and can discuss whether a guardianship is an option for your unique situation. Contact The Legal Hill, PLLC, to discuss your guardianship matter in Spokane, WA and set up an initial consultation right away.