Parents generally take care of their children and adults generally take care of themselves. Sometimes however, parents are no longer there or are unable to take care of their sons and daughters. Likewise, adults who are unable to manage their personal needs might require assistance from someone trustworthy. When a child or adult you care about needs someone to assume legal responsibility for them, Hart Law Office in Milwaukee can help you pursue legal guardianship to protect their interests.
A guardian is a person appointed by a court to manage the financial matters and personal care for someone else. The person being cared for is referred to as a ward. This legal relationship is established when the ward is unable to meet their needs on their own due to age or some other reason. Wisconsin recognizes several different types of guardianships, including:
We employ our knowledge and experience in family law to help you determine whether a guardianship is necessary for a minor or vulnerable adult and, if so, which type is needed.
Any Wisconsin resident may petition their Circuit Court for a guardianship to be established concerning a particular individual. The court will appoint a guardian ad litem for the prospective ward during the proceedings. From there, a hearing is held on the petition, at which point the petitioner must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed ward qualifies for a guardianship. If the court finds that the burden is met, it will issue an order appointing one or more guardians. The petitioner may nominate a proposed guardian (including themselves), but the court is not obligated to appoint that person. If you wish to petition or contest the appointment of a guardian for a minor or incompetent person, our firm has the skill and experience to advocate for you effectively in the proceeding.
Hart Law Office helps Wisconsin clients obtain and oppose legal guardianships. Please call 414-271-1775 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation at our office in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward. To better serve you, we offer weekend and evening appointments.