Legal Guardianship Alton, IL

If you need to offer support to a minor or a disabled adult, having a legal guardianship plan in place can make the process easier for your loved ones if you unexpectedly pass away. A legal guardian is responsible for minors until they turn 18 and in charge of caring for a disabled adult for the rest of their life. Choosing a family member to be the legal guardian of your loved one is never simple, but creating a legal guardianship in Alton, IL with an estate planning lawyer ensures that your loved one will be in good hands if you suddenly pass away.

If a legal guardian is not appointed for a minor or a disabled individual, the IL court will make decisions regarding your loved one’s care which may not align with your wishes. If you need to plan a legal guardianship in Alton, IL for your child or a mentally incapacitated adult, an estate planning attorney can preserve your family’s best interests and make sure that your loved ones don’t have to make difficult decisions about your loved one’s well-being if you unexpectedly pass away.

Types of Legal Guardianship Alton, IL

There are various types of legal guardianship in IL, and each one is accompanied by its own set of responsibilities. Most types of legal guardianship are permanent while others are temporary or semi-permanent. The most common types of legal guardianship in Alton, IL, include:

  • Plenary Guardianship – if a person needs a guardian to make decisions for them on their behalf, a plenary guardian acts on behalf of the individual for their care, estate, or both
  • Limited Guardianship – if an individual is able to make some, but not all of their own choices, a limited guardian can make decisions for them that they cannot make for themselves such as personal care or matters involving their estate or finances. The powers that the limited guardian has over an individual are listed in a testamentary or revocable living trust
  • Guardianship of the Person – when a person, whether due to their disability or lack of understandingto make their own decisions, requires someone to make decisions for them regarding education, care, treatment, and other professional services
  • Temporary Guardianship – emergency guardianship that lasts for up to 60 days until a minor or disabled person is given a guardian.
  • Guardianship of the Estate – used when a person can’t make their own decisions because of disability regarding their finances and estate

A detailed plan isn’t required for every matter, but planning ahead for your child or disabled loved ones’ care in case of an emergency can prevent your family a lot of stress and pain if you are not around to make decisions.

Legal Guardianship of a Disabled Adult Alton, IL

If an individual is mentally or physically incapacitated and isn’t able to make decisions for themselves regarding their personal care, education, estate, or many other things, a legal guardianship is an option. A legal guardianship in Alton, IL, can be designated in a trust and include specific rules for the guardian’s powers. If a mentally or physically incapacitated individual is unable to make any of their own decisions, a plenary guardianship can be given. If the disabled person can make some of their own decisions and is only unable to make other decisions, limited guardianship can be designated. Planning ahead for your disabled loved one’s care if you unexpectedly pass on is not easy to do, but it is critical to do so to ensure that your loved one’s best interests are protected. An estate planning attorney can guide you through the process of creating a plan of legal guardianship in Alton, IL, and assist you in exploring the options that are available for your disabled loved one’s guardianship.

Legal Guardianship of a Minor Alton, [state

There are a number of options available to plan ahead for the legal guardianship of a minor in Alton, IL. If you are the parent or current legal guardian of a minor, it is crucial to designate a person to make decisions on behalf of the child in the event that you unexpectedly pass away. Failure to designate a legal guardian of a minor doesn’t preserve your best interests or allow for peace of mind knowing that in the event that you pass away, your ward will be taken care of. A legal guardian can be designated with the help of an estate planning lawyer and included in an estate plan with information on what the guardianship entails. If a child is a minor, and isn’t disabled or incapacitated in any way, a legal guardianship in IL is often only semi-permanent and ends when the minor turns 18. Until the minor is of age, their legal guardian will make decisions regarding their education, well-being, medical services, and finances or estate if any, in a way that aligns with your best interests.

Speak with a Legal Guardianship Attorney in Alton, IL, Today

If you are interested in designating legal guardianship in Alton, IL, an estate planning lawyer can assist you in creating a personalized plan that protects the best interests of you and your loved one. Edmonds Law Office is committed to providing friendly, professional and experienced legal guidance to residents in IL. If you need a lawyer to help you plan ahead of time for your child or disabled loved one’s personal care or financial well-being, contact Edmonds Law Office today. Our attorneys have over 25 years of experience and will do everything in their power to ensure that your best interests are preserved in your plan for legal guardianship in Alton, IL.