Being appointed to care for a parent or manage their finances brings duties that continue after the court case ends. Knowing what to file and when can help you stay organized while protecting your loved one. A guardian oversees personal and care decisions, while a...
Guardianship and Conservatorship
What are the limits of a Virginia guardian’s authority?
Virginia courts appoint a guardian to oversee an incapacitated adult. When that happens, family members often assume that this person can make all the important decisions of life, but that is not always the case. When a guardian handles many personal choices of an...
Can a doctor serve as legal guardian for their own parents?
If you are working as a doctor in Manassas, Virginia, and your aging parent needs a legal guardian, you may assume your profession makes you the ideal choice. Virginia law generally allows adult children to serve as guardians for their parents regardless of...
Proving that guardianship or conservatorship is necessary
There are certain scenarios in which the courts may limit an adult’s legal authority. Concerns about an adult’s cognitive capabilities could result in the courts appointing a conservator or guardian to manage that person's affairs. Older adults frequently reject the...
The main difference between guardianship and conservatorship
Living independently is a common goal as people age. Most older adults do not want to give up their independence during their golden years. Unfortunately, not everyone can safely remain independent after they retire. Medical challenges and cognitive decline can make...
3 critical roles a conservator may fill
As people age, they experience medical challenges, including cognitive decline. They may struggle to manage their daily lives. In some cases, they truly need support from other adults. Concerned caregivers or family members can petition the courts for a...
Families may need to seek guardianship before care facilities do
Seeking guardianship or conservatorship can upset a person in need of support. Concerned family members may delay taking legal action even when an older adult demonstrates difficulty managing their own affairs and meeting their own needs. Taking an older adult's...
3 warning signs a loved one may require conservatorship
Respecting a loved one's personal wishes and independence is critical for a healthy relationship dynamic. However, people sometimes need to take action to protect others who cannot act in their own best interests or manage their own affairs. Concerned parties can seek...
What are the requirements for being an aging parent’s guardian?
As parents grow older, they may need help managing their affairs—whether financial, medical or legal. When they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves, guardianship becomes a critical responsibility. Becoming a guardian is both a legal process and a...
Will a guardianship protect an elderly parent from scammers?
It's a heartbreaking story we see too often on the news: a scammer has conned an older adult out of their life savings. Our hearts ache for the victim, and we are outraged that these con artists are rarely caught. As we watch our parents age, we begin to worry that...

