Palm Beach Attorneys Help You Care for a Loved One Through Guardianship

South Florida firm plans for and protects incapacitated adults

When loved ones lose the ability to care for themselves, it’s always a painful experience, but guardianship can make it easier on everyone. O’Connell & Crispin Ackal, PLLC, in Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, can help when loved ones can no longer effectively or safely manage their affairs. Florida law allows for court-appointed professional guardians who can take responsibility for the medical, financial and social well-being of the ward. Attorney Brian O’Connell is a professional guardian who also operates Guardian Advocates, a not-for-profit corporate guardian, and we are ready to capably guide you through this process.

Responsive and compassionate care for the elderly and disabled

When adults do not have the capacity to manage their own affairs, such as may happen after a sudden injury, over time through mental decline or because of a disability, a guardian can take responsibility for their financial and medical decisions. This can help with such things as making sure that their bills get paid on time and that they are receiving necessary medical care. To establish guardianship, you must first file a petition with the court, which will appoint a three-person panel that includes medical experts to assess the person’s mental, physical and functional abilities. If the person is determined to in fact be incapacitated, either a plenary (full) guardian or a limited guardian can be appointed. Our experienced attorneys can use this process to help you make sure your loved one is protected.

Court intervention for loved ones suffering from addiction

Under Florida law, someone abusing illegal drugs or alcohol may be involuntarily committed to a treatment facility to protect their health and financial well-being. The Marchman Act allows families to authorize involuntary assessment and treatment of a loved one who is abusing alcohol or illegal or prescription drugs. We can help you give your loved one what they need to recover.

Professional guardian advocates look after your loved one

Florida law makes special accommodations for persons with developmental disabilities, even if they are not incapacitated. The role of guardian advocate has somewhat less stringent requirements than guardianship to help people who are diagnosed with:

• Severe intellectual disabilities
• Cerebral palsy
• Autism
• Spina bifida
• Down syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Phelan-McDermid syndrome

In addition to individuals serving as guardian advocates, a nonprofit corporate guardian like Guardian Advocates, operated by one of our attorneys, may be appointed. Professional guardianship agencies have extensive experience caring for this type of ward and can more easily serve their unique long-term needs.

Contact an experienced guardianship attorney today

If you want to protect a loved one in South Florida with a guardianship arrangement, O’Connell & Crispin Ackal, PLLC, in Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, can help. Call us at 561-802-7536 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.