Legal Guidance With Compassion And Clarity

Legal Guidance With Compassion And Clarity
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Legal Protection For Minors And Vulnerable Adults

It can be difficult for parents to imagine a time when they can no longer care for their children or adult dependents. While never expected, it is important to plan for any eventuality, including sickness, incapacitation and death. Establishing a guardianship can protect your loved ones and effectively plan for their long-term care.

The team at Smith, Carrillo & Reeder has over 40 years of experience guiding the families of Anderson through difficult estate planning decisions. If you have questions about setting up a guardianship or how to best protect a minor or special needs loved one, we can help.

Establishing Guardianships For Minors

A guardianship gives a trusted individual the right to make decisions for your minor child. The guardian would make all their financial, medical and legal decisions until they reach the age of 18.

Naming a guardian is not a decision that can be made lightly, but it is essential in case an unexpected tragedy occurs. If you have an accident or become critically ill, your children deserve care from a trusted loved one instead of a court-appointed individual.

Providing For Special Needs Loved Ones Long-Term

Unlike a traditional guardianship, a guardian for a special needs individual continues to provide care past the age of 18. Their decision-making abilities can extend throughout the individual’s life. Guardians can make legal, medical, educational and financial decisions on behalf of the individual who requires assistance.

Establishing a special needs trust in conjunction with a guardianship can ensure that your loved one will always have the financial resources they need, even if you are not there to provide care. We can discuss this option with you in detail during our initial meeting.

Selecting The Right Guardian

Before you select a guardian, take a minute to examine your values and parenting style. You will want to select an individual with a similar value and belief system. You also need to make sure that your selected individual is up for the serious responsibility of raising your child. They should fully understand their role and responsibilities before accepting your offer.

Contact Us To Discuss Your Family’s Needs

At Smith, Carrillo & Reeder, our caring estate planning attorneys are ready to discuss your options and tailor a guardianship plan to meet your needs. Call our Anderson office at 765-393-8894 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys.