Legal Guardianship Wood River, IL

If you need to offer support to a minor or a disabled adult, designating a legal guardian ensures that there will be one less thing for your loved ones to decide when you pass away. Creating a legal guardianship can offer you peace of mind knowing that your child will be taken care of if you unexpectedly pass on, or that your disabled loved one will have someone by their side to care for them. Selecting someone to be the legal guardian of your child or loved one who is a disabled adult is never simple, but planning a legal guardianship in Wood River, IL with an estate planning attorney ensures that your child or loved one who is disabled will be taken care of if you suddenly pass away.

If a legal guardian is not designated for a minor or a mentally incapacitated adult, 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 Wood River, IL for your child or disabled loved one, an estate planning attorney can protect your family’s best interests and ensure that your family doesn’t have to worry about your loved one’s well-being in the event that you pass away.

Types of Legal Guardianship Wood River, IL

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

  • Plenary Guardianship – if a ward requires a guardian to make all important decisions for them, a plenary guardian acts on behalf of the individual for their care, estate, or both
  • Limited Guardianship – if someone 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 understanding to 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 two months until a minor or disabled adult is assigned a guardian.
  • Guardianship of the Estate – used when a person can’t make their own decisions due to disability regarding their finances and estate

An in-depth estate 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 in the event that you are not around to make decisions.

Legal Guardianship of a Disabled Adult Wood River, IL

If a person is mentally or physically incapacitated and unable to make decisions for themselves regarding their personal care, education, estate, or a number of other things, a legal guardianship is an option. A legal guardianship in Wood River, IL, can be assigned in a trust and include specific rules for the guardian’s responsibilities. If a mentally or physically incapacitated person is unable to make any of their own decisions, a plenary guardianship can be given. If the incapacitated person can make some of their own decisions and is only unable to make other decisions, limited guardianship may be assigned. Planning ahead for your disabled loved one’s care in the event that you unexpectedly pass on is not an easy thing, but it is critical to do so to make sure 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 Wood River, IL, and help you explore the options that are available for your disabled loved one’s guardianship.

Legal Guardianship of a Minor Wood River, [state

There are various options available to plan ahead for the legal guardianship of a minor in Wood River, IL. If you are the parent or current legal guardian of a minor, it is essential to select a person to make decisions on behalf of the child if you suddenly pass away. Not selecting a legal guardian for a minor and planning ahead doesn’t protect your best interests or allow for peace of mind knowing that if you pass away, your ward will be in good hands. A legal guardian can be chosen with the guidance 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 dissipates when the minor turns 18. Until the minor is of age, their legal guardian will make decisions regarding their education, well-being, treatment, and finances or estate if any, in a way that aligns with your best interests.

Speak with a Legal Guardianship Attorney in Wood River, IL, Today

If you are interested in designating legal guardianship in Wood River, IL, an estate planning attorney can help you create a personalized plan that protects the best interests of you and your loved one. Edmonds Law Office is dedicated 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 lawyers have over 25 years of experience and are passionate about ensuring that your best interests are preserved in your plan for legal guardianship in Wood River, IL.