When a guardianship is created, a person is named "guardian" over someone who cannot make decisions for themselves. This can be a minor child, an incapacitated person (for example, a brain injury victim), or an elderly family member. The guardian becomes legally responsible for making all personal life decisions for this person, called the "ward." Guardians do not make decisions about the ward's assets. That duty belongs to a conservator.
The guardian decides where the ward lives, what medical care the ward will receive, and what assistance the ward requires. For example, a guardian will be responsible for locating and overseeing needed care in a nursing facility for an failing elder, and a guardian will be responsible for deciding that a minor ward needs to get braces.
Usually, wills include the appointment of guardians for children, disabled adults, and the elderly. While the court gives preference to these appointments, there are certain situations where a state probate court will not appoint the chosen person.
Sakis & Sakis has experience in planning for guardianships as part of estate planning, as
well as assisting guardians when guardianships are already in place and advocating for wards who
may be victims of neglect or abuse. Please feel free to
contact us for a free, initial consultation.
We are honored to have clients in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, and to serve those residing in such municipalities as the City of Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Gross Pointe, Dearborn, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Farmington, Birmingham, Rochester, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lake Orion, Auburn Hills, Clawson, Berkley, Southfield, Pontiac, Utica, Shelby Township, Rochester Hills and Troy.
