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FLORIDA GUARDIANSHIP

Individuals who are incapacitated may need to have a guardian. In Florida, a guardian has broad powers of the person (called the "Ward" in guardianship cases). A court appointed guardian can make health related decisions for the Ward, manage the person's property and affairs, or both. Through the guardianship, loved ones can recieve the care and attention that the need. Seeking a legal guardianship in Florida involves various steps, but first you must consider wether the guardianship is needed.

Elder Law

Why Do I Need A Lawyer To Help Me Obtain a Guardianship?

  • Your guardianship could be contested. Relatives might have different ideas about who should act as a guardian.
  • Various legal requirements must be satisfied before a gudianship can be established, and an attorney can help navigate the process.
  • Florida guardians must comply with reporting requirements after the guardianship is established. An attorney can assist with compliance.
  • An attorney can ensure that the guardianship is established in a timely manner. This can be particularly important in health related matters.
  • An attorney can help a guardian secure Medicaid benefits.
Florida Guardianship Law

A Florida court can appoint a guardian for another person who is incapacitated due to dementia, physical impairment or other condition that prevents the person from being able to provide care for themself. The alleged incapacitated person is referred to as the “ward” in guardianship cases. A guardianship can be granted to provide adequate care for the ward, the ward’s property, or both. If a guardian is appointed, the guardian will then have a fiduciary duty to fulfill their duties as a guardian. Depending on the purpose and scope of the guardianship, the guardian can be responsible for the ward’s property, clothing, food, shelter, education, and medical needs.

A guardian can also be appointed to manage a minor’s property until the age of 18. This is usually imposed when the child has inherited money or land that needs to be managed until they reach an age where they can manage it by themselves. In many cases, surviving parents are assigned as the guardian of a child’s estate, or in some cases, other relatives may be considered. Florida law requires a guardian to be appointed when a child acquires property that exceeds $15,000 through an inheritance or insurance settlement.

ARE GUARDIANS ACCOUNTABLE?

In order to obtain a guardianship of an adult, a three-person examining committee will be appointed to evaluate the ward. The committee is comprised of two licensed care social workers and a doctor. The ward will also be appointed an attorney to be their voice. The purpose of these procedures is to ensure that the ward has neutral independent evaluations to verify the level of incapacitation.

Guardians will be required to complete a court-approved training program and file for a bond unless the requirement is waived by the Circuit Court. The court will review the guardian’s property and financial records annually, and if the guardian is unable to carry out their responsibilities, the guardianship will be revoked. Guardians of the estate are required to track and maintain accurate financial records of the estate and present them to the court yearly.

WHEN IS GUARDIANSHIP ESTABLISHED?

There are many  instances where legal guardianship may be established. For example, guardianships commonly occur when an aging parent is diagnosed with dementia. Also, if someone is in a car accident and becomes incapacitated, they may need a guardian to watch over them or their assets until they are able to take care of themselves. However, if the person already has a power of attorney (POA) and health care surrogate designation, guardianship may not be needed. If the person does have a power of attorney, the person designated in those documents will likely be the caretaker.

DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY?

Generally, it’s recommended that you consult a lawyer, especially in a situation where there is a contested guardianship. A contested guardianship is a case where two relatives of the incapacitated person disagree on who should be the legal guardian. Additionally, due to the complexity of guardianship proceedings, relatives may benefit from the aid of an attorney, especially as you are required to meet with social workers and doctors to assess the level of incapacitation and present that evidence to the court. If the incapacitated person has adequate funds, you can see reimbursement for your legal fees, as well as reimbursement of expenses associated with the performance of your duties as a guardian.

CONSULT WITH AN EXPERIENCED GUARDIANSHIP ATTORNEY IN FLORIDA

If you are filing a petition for guardianship, you should speak with an experienced guardianship attorney to fully understand your rights and obligations in the guardianship process. The Wheeler Firm handles all facets of guardianship cases so give us a call (850) 613-6923 today to get started.

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