Guardianship Attorney In Syosset
Protect & Support Your Disabled Loved One with Help from an Experienced Attorney
A guardianship is a legal relationship in which the court provides a person with the legal authority to make certain decisions for someone else who is unable to make those decisions for themselves. The laws surrounding guardianship can sometimes be confusing, and the process is challenging. This is why it’s important to speak with a skilled and experienced guardianship attorney with a clear understanding and background in guardianship law. Whether to petition for or oppose guardianship, it’s essential to have strong legal representation to protect your rights and best interests.
Fratello Law is a family-oriented firm committed to helping our clients address subjects that could be personally and emotionally challenging. Guardianship is one of those subjects that can be challenging to approach, but our team is here to help you and your family tackle this process and ensure that your needs and the needs of your family are met.
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Understanding the Function of a Guardianship
Guardianships are legal determinations in which the court appoints a guardian of the person and/or property of a developmentally or intellectually disabled individual (Art. 17A Guardianship) or of an alleged incapacitated person or ward (Art. 81 Guardianship). Among other requirements, a guardian must be over 18 and a legal citizen or resident of the United States. There are numerous circumstances under which a physically or mentally impaired individual may need a guardian.
A guardianship may be necessary if a physically and/or mentally impaired individual:
- Requires help with decision-making and prefers judicial oversight over the person who will make their decisions
- Does not have Advance Directives in place or the capacity to execute those directives
- Is being abused or exploited
- Can no longer independently perform their daily living activities
- Is unable to manage their finances
- Is in a health care facility and unable to make the appropriate decisions regarding their care or future needs
Often a person needs guardianship because they have a developmental or intellectual disability or do not have the cognitive ability (whether it’s due to age or illness) to make decisions for themselves and cannot give informed consent for personal, medical, or financial matters.
How Does the Law Define Incapacity in Syosset, New York?
The concept of “incapacitated” isn’t limited to a single situation. Rather, it can occur in many different circumstances. Therefore, the law may sometimes use different definitions or criteria to define incapacitated. Similarly, there is more than one person with the authority to declare a person incapacitated.
For instance, in New York, if someone petitions to become a legal guardian, the New York Mental Hygiene Law (HML) governs the determination of incapacity by establishing that the person will likely suffer harm without guardianship because:
- The person is unable to provide for personal needs and/or property management
- The person cannot adequately understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of their inability to provide for their personal needs and/or property management
- The person will likely suffer harm without the appointment of a guardian
When reaching its determination, the court gives primary consideration to the functional level and functional limitations of the potential ward. Such consideration includes an assessment of that person’s:
- Management of daily living activities, as defined in article 81
- Understanding and appreciation of the nature and consequences of any inability to manage daily living activities
- Preferences, wishes, and values with regard to managing daily living activities
- The nature and extent of the person’s property and financial affairs and their ability to manage them.
The Different Types of Guardianship in New York
There are different types of guardianships that are appointed by the Surrogate’s Court or the Supreme Court.
Article 81
Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law authorizes the court to appoint a guardian where an alleged incapacitated person (AIP) cannot understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of his or her inability to handle personal and/or financial matters and that the alleged incapacitated person is likely to suffer harm if a guardian is not appointed.
When an individual has not or is unable or does not have capacity to execute advance directives and is unable to manage his or her own personal or financial needs, a petition must be filed in in the Guardianship department of the Supreme Court to appoint a Guardianship of the person and/or property. The law requires the court to consider the potential ward’s cognitive ability and function level and restrictions and assess whether the ward is able to handle their own daily living activities.
81 Process
A guardianship under article 81 is very individualized with protections in place to safeguard the best interests and future needs of the AIP, with limitations on the type of decisions that can be made by the guardian depending on the unique needs and circumstances of the AIP. The judge appoints a neutral and independent court evaluator who provides the court with recommendations after interviewing all interested parties as well as the AIP and investigating the unique circumstances surrounding the AIP and his or her needs. The court may also appoint an independent guardianship attorney to represent the AIP directly. The court holds a hearing for the guardianship where the petitioner can present a clear and convincing case of the ward’s incapacity and the likelihood of suffering harm without an appointment of a guardian.
Purpose of Article 81
Under article 81, there are different guardianship arrangements:
- Guardianship of the person, that permits the guardian to make daily decisions for a ward
- Guardianship of property that permits the guardian to make decisions considering the ward’s property and finances
An experienced guardianship attorney can help you guide you through the guardianship process and determine the appropriate scope of guardianship given the specific circumstances of you matter and the needs of the AIP.
Article 17-A
An Article 17-A guardianship is a determination by a Surrogate Court judge appointing a guardian to help protect the interests of an intellectually or developmentally disabled adult and make decisions for them, when they are unable to do so for themselves. In New York, when a person turns 18 years old, they are presumed to be legally able to make decisions for themselves. This means that no other person is allowed to make personal, medical, or financial decisions for them. This may present a problem if the person is intellectually or developmentally disabled and has difficulty making decisions for themselves.
The person asking the court to appoint a 17-A guardian (the petitioner) is typically a parent or a close family member.
Article 17-A Process
Obtaining this type of guardianship requires filing a petition with a certification from a doctor, a psychologist, or two doctors. The certification must state that the potential ward is disabled and cannot manage their own affairs. The court has the authority to appoint guardianship of the person, property, or both. These guardianships are typically broad, covering personal and financial matters.
Contact a Compassionate and Skilled Syosset Guardianship Attorney Today
Guardianship is necessary for the benefit of the ward, but it can be a complex process. At Fratello Law, our guardianship lawyers approach each case with the compassion and understanding needed during such a personal and emotional process. We are a small firm with a big heart, committed to our clients as if they were our own family. We look forward to including you in our client family. Contact us at (516) 321-4010 or complete our contact form to schedule a no cost consultation.
Guardianship Services We Offer
Article 81 Guardianship
An Article 81 guardianship proceeding is typically used to petition the court to appoint a legal guardian, including the elderly and disabled, with cognitive or functional limitations that are likely to cause them financial or personal harm. The goal of Article 81 guardianship is to secure a guardian who will be given the legal power to act on behalf of a person with cognitive limitations to manage their property and personal needs. The attorneys at Fratello Law will use their broad experience to help you apply for and maintain an Article 81 guardianship for your loved one.
Article 17A Guardianship
In New York, the parents of your disabled loved one are deemed their Parent and Natural Guardian until they turn 18. Once your loved one turns 18, New York State law deems them a competent adult capable of managing their everyday lives on their own. However, this is not always appropriate. Article 17A Guardianship allows you to remain the guardian of your diasbled loved one and care for their physical and financial needs beyond the age of 18. At Fratello, our experienced attorneys will guide you through the process of applying for and maintaining Article 17A Guardianship.
Guardianship Accounting
If the court finds it necessary, a guardian is appointed to manage the assets and property of your disabled loved one. If you are appointed by the court as your loved one’s guardian, you are responsible for overseeing and using your loved one’s funds to support their wellbeing. In addition to using the funds, as a guardian you are also responsible for guardianship accounting, which requires you to keep a detailed record of all your loved one’s income and expenses. Our expert attorneys can take the burden of guardianship accounting off of your plate, so you can spend more quality time with your loved one.
Change of Guardian
Sometimes an appointed guardian can no longer serve as a guardian. A guardian can voluntarily resign because they no longer want to be the guardian and a new guardian can be appointed by the court. If a guardian is no longer capable or suited to be the guardian, you can petition the court for the removal of the unsuitable guardian. Our attorneys have extensive experience helping people like you and their loved ones exercise all three of these options to serve the best interests of their loved ones.