PROTECTING CHILDREN, VULNERABLE ADULTS, AND FAMILIES WHEN LEGAL AUTHORITY IS NEEDED
Life sometimes reaches a point where a loved one can no longer safely make important decisions alone. A child may unexpectedly need someone to provide care. An aging parent may begin suffering from dementia. An adult child with special needs may require continued assistance after turning eighteen. A family member experiencing a mental health crisis may require immediate court intervention.
During these difficult transitions, Michigan Probate Courts have the authority to appoint guardians and conservators to protect individuals who cannot adequately care for themselves or manage their financial affairs.
At Great Lakes Family Probate & Estates, PLLC, we help families throughout Michigan navigate guardianship and conservatorship proceedings with compassion, practical advice, and experienced legal representation. Every situation is unique, and our goal is always to recommend the least restrictive solution that still provides the protection your loved one needs.
WHAT IS A GUARDIANSHIP?
A guardian is appointed by the court to make personal decisions for another individual when they are unable to safely make those decisions themselves.
Depending upon the circumstances, those decisions may involve medical treatment, living arrangements, education, personal care, or other matters affecting the individual’s health and well-being.
Some guardianships are temporary. Others remain in place for many years. In every case, the court expects guardians to act in the protected person’s best interests.
WHAT IS A CONSERVATORSHIP?
While a guardian makes personal decisions, a conservator is responsible for managing another person’s finances and property.
A conservator may be appointed to protect bank accounts, investments, real estate, retirement funds, or other assets when an individual cannot safely manage financial affairs independently.
Sometimes the same person serves as both guardian and conservator. In other situations, only one appointment is necessary.
WE ASSIST FAMILIES WITH
Our attorneys represent families in a variety of guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, including guardianships for minors, guardianships for incapacitated adults, emergency guardianships during medical or mental health crises, conservatorships for vulnerable adults, and matters involving individuals with developmental disabilities or special needs.
Our family law attorneys also assist parents and relatives with minor guardianships arising from family circumstances, while our probate attorneys frequently represent families seeking emergency appointments for aging parents, adults experiencing cognitive decline, or loved ones facing immediate safety concerns.
EVERY FAMILY’S CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DIFFERENT
One family may need temporary authority to care for a grandchild while a parent recovers from illness.
Another may need immediate authority to admit a loved one for medical treatment after a sudden stroke.
Another may simply need assistance helping an adult child with lifelong disabilities continue receiving appropriate care after reaching adulthood.
The legal solution depends upon the individual’s needs, available alternatives, and Michigan law.
Our attorneys help families understand those options before recommending a course of action.
HELPING FAMILIES DURING DIFFICULT TRANSITIONS
Guardianship proceedings often occur during periods of tremendous stress. Families are making important decisions while coping with illness, aging, disability, or crisis.
Our role is to guide you through the legal process, explain your responsibilities, and help protect the dignity and well-being of the person at the center of the proceeding.
When a parent begins to struggle with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke-related impairment, or other cognitive decline, adult children are often forced into difficult decisions. Guardianship or conservatorship may seem like the only way to keep a parent safe, manage finances, or ensure proper care.
While these court proceedings can be necessary, they are far more complicated—and emotionally challenging—than most families expect. In Michigan, guardianships and conservatorships are governed by strict laws and court oversight, and the process can quickly become overwhelming without legal guidance.
At Great Lakes Family Probate & Estates, we help families understand their options, avoid common pitfalls, and determine whether guardianship or conservatorship is truly the best solution. Contact Great Lakes Family Probate & Estates to schedule a consultation at (888) 554-5373, or fill out the form below. Our attorneys are here to provide experienced guidance and trusted legal representation.