Texas Guardianship Attorneys

Helping You Make Sense of Guardianship Arrangements

Guardianship is a legal arrangement that arranges the care of people who cannot manage their own affairs, such as minors, incapacitated adults, and those with special needs. In Texas, guardianship provides a structured way to appoint a guardian to make important decisions and manage the personal and financial well-being of a “ward” or the person who is protected or cared for through the guardianship arrangement. As important as guardianship is, it is just as complicated, so it is always recommended that you only start the process of appointing a guardian for a loved one by first talking with an experienced attorney.

At Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., serving all of central Texas, our guardianship lawyers are available to help you with all parts of the guardianship process. As trusted estate planning attorneys, we have the experience, knowledge, and insight you need when making guardianship decisions.

Get more information about guardianship in Texas today. Call (254) 938-6885 and ask for an initial consultation.

Different Types of Guardianship Arrangements

Guardianship can take one of a few different forms depending on the situation and who requires care or protection. Our Texas guardianship attorneys can help you figure out the details of your guardianship arrangement, no matter what type is needed. You can see our law firm as the only source you need for everything related to guardianship, either standalone guardianship cases or guardianship as part of your estate plan.

The three most common types of guardianship are:

• Guardianship for minors: Our attorneys can help you appoint a guardian for your child if you should become unable to care for them due to unforeseen circumstances. When the chosen guardian is officially recognized by the court, they can make decisions regarding your child’s welfare, education, healthcare, and so on. As with any legal process involving a child, the focus of appointing a guardian for a minor is on securing a safe and stable environment for the child to thrive.
• Guardianship for adults: Do you have an adult dependent who needs you to take care of them due to their age, illness, or disability? We can help you appoint a guardian for them in case something happens that incapacitates you, much like you would if you had a minor in your care.
• Guardianship for special needs individuals: Guardianship can also be used to arrange for the proper care of people with medical disabilities who require long-term care and support. Our attorneys can work closely with your family to create a legal framework that supports the ongoing care and decision-making needed for someone in your life with special needs, so they will always have a guardian there for them when they need help. Such guardianship arrangements often consider how to manage financial resources, provide access to healthcare, and maintain their quality of life, all while respecting the individual's unique needs and preferences.

Filing to Become a Guardian

Sometimes, a person unexpectedly becomes incapacitated before they have a chance to name guardians for the people in their care. If this happens to one of your loved ones, you can petition the court to allow you to become a guardian for their child or adult dependent, which is a complicated process that our attorneys can also help you manage.

When petitioning to become a guardian of a ward, you will need to show:

• Why you have an interest in the care of the ward
• How you can provide the care the ward requires
• Why you would be a good choice as a guardian (such as through background checks)

Other parties might also be interested in becoming the guardian for a ward in need of one, which can create an adversarial or competitive-like feeling for the entire process. By working with our guardianship lawyers, we can help you navigate the required steps with sensitivity and respect for everyone involved.

Documents During a Guardianship Case

The documents that will be involved in or useful for your guardianship case may include:

• Petition for guardianship: A formal request filed with the court to appoint a guardian.
• Consent forms: If applicable, consent from the ward or other relevant parties involved in the estate plan.
• Guardianship agreement: A detailed plan outlining the guardian’s responsibilities and the care to be provided to the ward.
• Medical records: Documentation about any relevant medical disabilities, if applicable.
• Background checks: Comprehensive checks on the prospective guardian (not always necessary).
• References: Personal and professional references supporting the suitability of the guardian.
• Legal forms: Jurisdiction-specific forms that must be completed and submitted as part of the guardianship process.
• Financial statements: Information about the prospective guardian’s financial situation to demonstrate capability to manage assets.
• Court orders: Any previous court orders related to custody or guardianship that may impact the decision.

Begin Your Guardianship Case Today

Call our Texas guardianship attorneys if you need any help with a guardianship case. Whether you want to include guardianship arrangements in your estate plan, such as what to do if you become incapacitated and who should get power of attorney, or want to file to become a guardian yourself, we can walk you through every process. Let’s take the questions out of guardianship by starting on your case today.

Get more information about guardianship in Texas. Call (254) 938-6885.