Guardianship & Conservatorship

Guardians and Conservators

Our lawyers at the Massachusetts law firm, Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLP, offer clients sound advice about guardians and conservators. We have been helping people plan ahead since 1935, creating estate plans that include stipulations for conservatorship and guardianship. A complete estate plan does not deal only with money and property. Rather, it includes provisions for caring for minor children and mentally or physically disabled adults. Choosing guardians or conservators in advance provides the testator with the knowledge that their loved ones will be cared for properly.

Our attorneys help people protect their children and their families through guardianship and conservatorship.

Guardianship or conservatorship also provides for care for the testator through adult guardianship, should he or she become disabled or incompetent. Undertaking this type of planning is one of the best gifts an individual can give heirs; it prevents disputes and controversies among family members later on. To learn how we help clients effectively plan for conservatorship and guardianship, contact our Boston office.

Our estate planning lawyers help clients:

• Select a guardian for a minor child
• Name a guardian for a protected person such as a physically or mentally disabled child, either minor or adult
• Choose and name a guardian for themselves should they become disabled or unable to take care of themselves
• Understand a guardian's duties and fiduciary responsibility, including the court-mandated reporting requirements
• Know about the possible objections to their selection of a guardian
• Understand the difference between a guardian and a conservator
• Learn about the parameters of the guardian's role, including how he or she could dispose of assets to benefit the ward
• Know the difference between family members and professionals as named guardians or conservators

We also advise potential or actual wards about their rights under a guardianship or conservatorship. We act as guardians-ad-litem, serving as the eyes and ears of the court as it considers guardianship petitions. We represent potential wards, parents, and guardians in cases around medication issues involving anti-psychotic prescriptions.

Many of our clients are established clients of the firm, but our lawyers welcome inquiries about guardianship issues such as litigation about contested guardianship. For more information about guardianship and custodianship, contact us at Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLP.