Abacoa & Alton Neighbors August 2020

A u g u s t 2 0 2 0 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 9 EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR a guardianship does not terminate the legal relationship between a child and the child’s parents. Rather, a guardianship is a legal relationship that gives the guardian the rights and obligations specified by state law. NOTE: A guardian of a person is different from a guardian of the property. A guardian of the property is appointed by a court to manage and protect a child’s assets if there is more than $15,000 of money or property involved. Is a Legal Guardianship Really Necessary? Yes. If you will be caring for a child who is not your own for an extended period of time, it is important to be the child’s legal guardian. Otherwise, you will have difficulty carrying out basic responsibilities like authorizing medical care and enrolling the child in school. Being a guardian is an important responsibility. If a family member or friend wishes to name you as a guardian for a child, it is important to seriously consider whether you have the time, patience, and ability to take on this role. While it can be rewarding because it allows you to invest in the life of a child, you should be honest and decline to accept the role if you do not believe you can adequately perform the responsibilities of a guardian. If your family member or friend passes away without naming someone else as guardian in their will, additional time and expense will be required to determine who will replace you. Moreover, the person the court appoints may not be someone the child’s parents would have wanted to care for their beloved child. We Are Here to Help If you have been appointed as a guardian for a child, we are available to answer any questions you may have about your responsibilities. We can also help if you need to resign as a child’s guardian due to changed circumstances. Please call us today to set up a meeting. We are happy to meet with you by phone or video conference if you prefer. If you have questions about this article or your estate plan and what documents are necessary schedule a consultation today by calling our office at 561-694-7827, Anné Desormier- Cartwright, Esq., Elder & Estate Planning Attorneys PA, 480 Maplewood Drive, Suite 3, Jupiter, FL 33458. The content of this article is general and should not be relied upon without review of your specific circumstances by competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information herein is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by the firm on your specific circumstances or legal needs. An attorney client relationship is not created through the information provided herein.