Compassionate Guidance For Virginia Guardianships
A crucial part of estate planning is providing support for loved ones after you pass. One common way to achieve this is through a guardianship. This estate planning tool can help protect loved ones who may not be able to care for themselves, so you can rest assured that they’re safe.
Through Joseph H. Beale, Attorney At Law, PLLC, I help families across Northern Virginia plan and prepare for their future with strong guardianships that can help protect both minors and adults.
Understanding Guardianships In Virginia
A guardianship is a legal relationship that appoints an individual (known as a guardian) to make legal, medical and financial decisions for another person (known as a ward). Guardianships can be appointed for minors as well as adults. Guardianships for minors often occur when parents pass away before the child is 18. Guardianships for adults can vary. They can be appointed to care for an aging parent with dementia or an adult child with special needs.
A guardian is appointed by the court based on certain factors, such as the ward in question is unable to meet the requirements necessary to care for their own health or safety without the help of a guardian.
Guardians are often spouses, parents or other family members. They can also be designated by the ward through a power of attorney prior to the ward’s period of incapacity. Courts consider various factors when choosing the appropriate guardian, such as the individual’s age, health, financial stability and criminal history.
Guardianships Versus Conservatorships
You may have heard both of these terms and thought they meant the same thing. However, guardianship and conservatorship have different functions. A guardian is someone who makes welfare decisions for the ward, such as for medical care, personal needs like purchasing food or clothes and minor financial decisions, such as opening a bank account. A conservator, however, only makes financial decisions. In many cases, a single individual can take on both of these roles in order to make smart decisions on behalf of an incapacitated adult’s best interests.
Call Today To Schedule A Consultation
If you have a loved one in need of a guardianship, I can help you through the process of petitioning the court and securing the legal authority you need to protect your family.
Contact my firm at 571-335-3735 for a consultation or send an email at your convenience. I have offices in Aldie and Herndon, and represent clients throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.