If you are just beginning to think about long-term planning for your loved ones, guardianship may be a new concept for you. A guardianship allows caregivers to proactively make decisions for those in their care. In New York, the law provides guardianships for those...
Guardianships
How should you choose a guardian for your minor child?
In addition to protecting your assets, your estate plan also offers essential tools to protect your family members. For example, wills allow parents to name guardians for their minor children, which can offer ample peace of mind. While it may be an unpleasant subject...
What are the criteria for incapacitation?
At some point, you may need to consider guardianship for an adult in your life. Many people have to make this consideration for their parents as they age. But you cannot simply ask the court to give you control over another adult. You must prove that person is...
Understanding guardianship basics
Though many people will come across a situation in their lives where they may need a guardian or might need to become a guardian for someone else, very few people actually know much about guardianships. What are the basics to know about a guardianship? How does it...
Is a godparent the same thing as a legal guardian?
Some New York parents name individuals to be godparents to their children. You may believe that a godparent is someone who will act as a guardian to a child if the biological parents die. While there are parents who want godparents to fill this role, the truth is that...
5 factors to consider when naming a guardian for your child
One of the important estate planning actions that parents of young children need to do is name a guardian. This is the person who would raise the children in the event both parents died before the children turned 18. Although it is important, it is not an easy task....
Who should you choose for your child’s guardian?
Proper estate planning is crucial to safeguard your assets after you are gone. However, it can also benefit your family members, especially your children. Wills also allow you to choose a guardian for any minors in your care. Without this input, the court will make...
Personal needs, property management and Article 81 guardianship
If someone in your family becomes incapacitated, it is crucial to review your options and strategies to safeguard their future. In some instances, Article 81 guardianship is necessary. It is pivotal to go over the responsibilities that an Article 81 guardian has,...
Who should you name guardian?
Though no one wants to think about the possibility of an early death, it is important for parents to consider this. If you do not have a guardian named for your child, they could end up in the foster care system. One of the most fool-proof ways of doing this is by...
How may a court choose a guardian?
If you have aging family members, it can be a good idea to discuss with them how to plan for their possible incapacitation by setting up a power of attorney or selecting someone who could serve as a guardian. If not, a court may pick a guardian in the event your...
