Guardianship
Guardian is the legal designation that allows an individual or entity to assume court-ordered responsibility for another person’s life. A guardianship becomes necessary when individuals suffer from a mental or physical ailment that affects their ability to take care of their basic needs, and that person has not appointed a person or persons to do so without court intervention. While incapacitation is a sad reality that many people will face, it is still difficult to watch and accept that a loved one has lost the ability to care for himself or herself.
Taking the responsibility to care for a loved one who is no longer able to care for himself or herself is difficult—legally and emotionally. It is hard to watch the demise of someone who was once a strong and healthy individual; however, when an individual becomes incapacitated and cannot take care of his or her own basic needs, it is important to ensure they are receiving the medical and financial care that they need.
To become a guardian for an individual, you must file an application to be appointed guardian of the person and the person’s estate with the probate court and prove that your loved one is no longer able to care for himself or herself. It is important to have the assistance of an attorney during this process to ensure that everything is filed correctly and that you are prepared if the guardianship is contested. At the Law Office Keith D. Peterson CPA, J.D., we are here to help you through the difficult process of assuming responsibility for a loved one through a guardianship with the sound legal representation and financial advice you need.
Once you are appointed guardian for another person, you are authorized to make legal, financial and health care decisions for them. With this responsibility comes accountability in the form of reports you must make to the court annually. Each year that you remain the guardian for your loved one, you must demonstrate that you are providing safekeeping of assets and properly administering the estate by providing annual accounts of the estate and annual reports of the condition and well being of the ward.
Keith D. Peterson is an experienced attorney and CPA in Houston that can help you with every aspect of guardianship from the initial petition to the annual paperwork that must be filed with the court. With over 15 years of combined legal and financial experience, Mr. Peterson provides clients with exceptional service in all matters related to business and estate planning, including guardianships. Mr. Peterson’s combined experience and knowledge of both the financial and legal aspect of guardianship provides him with combined qualifications when advising clients in these matters and provides clients with the peace of mind needed during these uncertain and stressful times.
If you need an attorney and CPA for any matters of business or estate planning, please contact the Law Office of Keith D. Peterson CPA, J.D. at 281-970-7001.