A Guardianship grants a court-appointed individual or entity the authority to make decisions for an incapacitated individual. The court can deem a person incapacitated when he or she is unable to make informed decisions and cannot:
- Provide for his or her own basic needs (food, clothing or shelter)
- Properly care for his or her physical health
- Manage his or her finances
- Make decisions simply because he or she is simply a minor (under the age of 18)
The attorneys at Sharpe Law Group have worked with many families whose loved ones are no longer able to care for themselves due to developmental disabilities, disease, or injury. We are sensitive to the emotional distress of those called upon to seek guardianship and our lawyers recognize that this responsibility can be made more difficult by conflicting emotions and a complicated judicial process. We have the understanding and knowledge to guide you and protect the well-being of your family member who cannot care for themselves.
Placing a person under guardianship removes many civil liberties that citizens in America enjoy. A ward may lose the right to:
- Manage his or her own affairs
- Choose where to live
- Consent to or refuse medical treatment
- Vote
- Drive
Because these rights are so significant, the court requires substantial evidence and documentation to substantiate incapacitation. This is a complex process that requires the skill and experience of a qualified Texas guardianship lawyer.