Ocala Legal Guardianship Attorney

Our Firm Ready to Help You & Your Family

Do you know what will happen to your possessions and assets if you become unexpectedly incapacitated, perhaps after a serious accident? Are you concerned a loved one cannot take care of themselves properly anymore due to their own incapacitation? Both of these questions are harrowing but can be addressed with guardianship, a legal tool that lets you choose someone to manage your most important affairs when you are incapacitated, or allows you to become the guardian for a chosen ward in need.

Making certain this legal relationship is correctly established can be tricky if you are not familiar with the legalities and regulations of Florida. You can take the guesswork right out of the equation by working with Dunham & Ingram, LLC and our guardianship attorneys in Ocala. Using our extensive legal experience and client-focus approach to casework, we are confident we can guide you through the guardianship process with ease.

Call (352) 353-8117 or fill out a online consultation form to speak with an experienced legal guardianship lawyer near you.

Who Can Be a Guardian in Florida?

Choosing a guardian to act on your behalf when you become incapacitated is a daunting task. You need to know you can absolutely trust the person you select. After all, they may be expected to make major life decisions, take care of the ward’s minor children, and handle day-to-day endeavors you used to manage. On the other hand, deciding it would be best to become a ward’s guardian is a big responsibility. You must be certain you are fully qualified to take care of all expectations.

In Florida, a person can be a guardian if they are:

18 years of age or older
Direct descendant of the ward, or person who needs a guardian
Directly related to the ward
Married to a direct relative of the ward
Not facing felony charges and has never been convicted of a felony

The guardianship process is smoother if they guardian lives in Florida. This is not a requirement, however, if the ward’s needs can mostly be handled remotely. For example, a ward may want to appoint a guardian to manage finances, which can be done online.

Paperwork needed for guardianship include:

Petition to determine incapacity: A written argument that shows why the ward requires a guardian. Medical records that show a physical or mental disability can be useful.
Petition for appointment of guardian: The form you will need if you want the court to assign someone to be your guardian.
Application for appointment as guardian: The form you will need if you want to be chosen as the guardian of a particular ward.

Hire a Legal Guardianship Attorney Near You

For all your questions and concerns about guardianship in Florida, whether you want to assign a guardian or want to become a guardian yourself, Dunham & Ingram, LLC is here to help. Our Ocala guardianship attorneys are closely familiar with this important process, as well as family law issues that might become a conflict, such as preexisting child custody arrangements.

Here are several benefits of hiring our Ocala guardianship lawyer

Advance planning to ensure that a loved one's wishes are fulfilled in the event of incapacitation
Guidance on how to become legal guardian and advice on guardianship responsibilities
Access to experienced professionals for resources and support through challenging legal processes
Legal expertise for navigating the complexities of estate planning, Medicaid and Social Security regulations
Assistance with filing petitions for guardianships in court, preparing necessary documents, attending court hearings and representing you throughout the entire process
Representation in case of disputes or challenges with other family members over guardianship

To learn more about our legal services and your options, contact us to schedule a case evaluation.