When You Need to Establish a Guardianship or Conservatorship in Michigan
The appointment of a guardian and/or conservator is a process that is both complex and filled with emotional elements. A beloved family member may no longer be able to manage their assets, pay their bills, or take proper care of themselves. An orphaned child may not be ready or able to take on significant financial responsibilities.
At Smith & Mabley in Farmington Hills, Michigan, we consider our clients and their families to be friends. We have the expertise and experience to help them get through a difficult, but often necessary and unavoidable, process.
If you or a family member need help in considering or establishing a conservatorship or guardianship proceeding in Michigan, contact one of our knowledgeable attorneys by calling us at 866-975-9915 or sending us an e-mail.
Ensuring Your Family Member Gets the Care They Need
In Michigan, a guardian is appointed through a probate court process to control medical care and living arrangements for an incapacitated individual. The guardian appointed by the court makes sure that all the medical, living and other non-financial needs of the family member are met. While the role of a guardian does not involve the management of significant amounts of money, the responsibility is serious and ongoing. It includes providing for medical needs, day-to-day living arrangements, caregivers, and other concerns. You want to make sure that your loved one is getting the care and attention they deserve. At Smith & Mabley, we help our clients make that happen.
Helping Incapacitated Individuals Protect Their Assets in a Conservatorship
Michigan court appointed conservators manage the assets of a family member who is unable to manage money and property. Conservatorships are often needed for an incapacitated or elderly family member when proper planning has not been completed in a timely manner. A Will may exist, but does not become effective until death. Thus a gap in asset management for an individual can exist during a period of debilitating incapacity. In addition, minor children who inherit a significant estate, or are to receive a distribution outright from a trust, may need the appointment of a conservator to manage and administer their funds until they reach an age when they can handle their own finances.
Holding Positions of Great Trust
Guardianship and conservatorship appointments by the probate court involve positions of great trust and responsibility. In Michigan, guardians and conservators have a fiduciary duty to their wards to follow the requirements of Michigan probate law and applicable court rules, and to properly discharge their duties under the scrutiny of the probate judge. These are areas that require careful and considered legal advice and assistance.
Contact Us
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our an experienced lawyers regarding Michigan guardianships and conservatorships, please contact us online or call us at 866-975-9915.
