Guardianship Attorney in North and South Carolina

Facing the possibility of becoming a guardian, placing a loved one under guardianship, or dealing with contested guardianship can be emotionally challenging. There are many things to consider and multiple factors that go into making the decision. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced and compassionate guardianship attorney like those at Collins Family & Estate Law Group.

We understand the importance and complexities of your decision and are committed to guiding you through the entire process to ensure you and your loved ones feel supported during this time.

About Guardianship

Guardianship is a legal relationship in which an individual (the guardian) is appointed by a court to make personal and/or financial decisions on behalf of another person (the ward) who is unable to make such decisions independently. 

Guardianship is typically established when an individual, often due to age, disability, or incapacity, is unable to manage their own affairs or make decisions in their best interest.

There are two main types of guardianship:

1. Guardianship of the Person: This type of guardianship involves decision-making authority over the personal aspects of the ward’s life, such as medical care, living arrangements, education, and other day-to-day matters.
2. Guardianship of the Estate (or Guardian of the Property): This type of guardianship grants the guardian authority over the financial affairs and assets of the ward. The guardian is responsible for managing the ward’s finances, paying bills, and making financial decisions on their behalf.

The process of establishing guardianship typically involves the following steps:

1. Petition: A person (often a family member or concerned party) petitions the court to establish a guardianship. The petition outlines the reasons why guardianship is necessary and provides information about the proposed guardian’s qualifications.
2. Notice and Hearing: The court reviews the petition and, if deemed necessary, schedules a hearing. Notice of the hearing is provided to the proposed ward, and other interested parties, such as family members, are typically given an opportunity to express their views.
3. Evaluation: The court may appoint a guardian ad litem or another professional to evaluate the circumstances and report to the court on the necessity of guardianship.
4. Court Decision: After considering the evidence presented, the court decides whether guardianship is warranted. If so, the court will appoint a guardian and specify the extent of their authority (guardianship of the person, estate, or both).
5. Ongoing Oversight: The court often maintains ongoing oversight of the guardianship to ensure that the guardian is acting in the best interests of the ward. Guardians are typically required to provide regular reports to the court.

It’s important to note that guardianship is a significant legal arrangement that involves a transfer of decision-making authority from the ward to the guardian. In many cases, efforts are made to explore less restrictive alternatives, such as powers of attorney or supported decision-making arrangements, before resorting to guardianship. The goal is to balance the need for protection with the individual’s autonomy and independence to the greatest extent possible. 

In North Carolina, the guardianship process generally goes through the clerk of superior court in the county where the person lives, and similar procedures apply through the probate courts in South Carolina. Each state has its own statutes and deadlines that must be followed carefully, so working with a guardianship attorney North Carolina families can rely on helps you comply with these rules while focusing on your loved one’s safety and dignity.

Experienced Guardianship Attorneys

Advocates for your family.

The decision to pursue guardianship for your loved one can be a difficult and emotional one. Sudden changes, unforeseen circumstances, or incapacitating illness may bring you to the realization that your loved one is unable to communicate or manage their healthcare or financial needs. If guardianship is pursued through the court system, our North and South Carolina guardianship attorneys take seriously the need for dedicated and caring advocacy during this process. Some of the ways we can help you during this process include:

• Determining when a person’s mental status requires petitioning for guardianship with the court. 
• Assisting and guiding your family through the guardianship process from start to finish. 
• Representation in contested guardianship proceedings. 
• Representation in removal or modification of guardianship proceedings. 
• Advisement of guardians concerning their powers and responsibilities in administering the guardianship estate.

We also help you prepare for hearings by gathering medical records, coordinating with healthcare providers, and organizing witness testimony that may be needed to explain your loved one’s condition to the court. In contested matters, we work with you to understand family dynamics, prior estate planning documents, and any existing powers of attorney so we can present a clear picture to the judge and focus on what arrangement will best protect the person in need.

Comprehensive Guardianship Solutions

At Collins Family & Estate Law Group, our guardianship lawyers provide comprehensive guardianship solutions to North and South Carolina residents. We understand each guardianship case is unique, and we are committed to helping you through the process to ensure we meet your situation’s specific needs and circumstances. 

Whether you are entering into a new guardianship or facing challenges with an existing guardianship agreement, our guardianship attorneys are here to represent you and work with you every step of the way.

Because our practice includes both family law and estate law, we can also help you connect guardianship with related issues such as long-term care planning, special needs planning, and estate administration. This often means coordinating guardianship decisions with Medicaid applications, beneficiary designations, or existing trusts so that your loved one’s financial security and eligibility for public benefits are protected over the long term.

Types of Guardianship

There are different types of guardianships, and each serves a specific purpose based on decision-making needs and responsibilities. It’s important to note that the laws and regulations regarding guardianship may vary from state to state, and responsibilities can differ accordingly, so it’s essential to work with a North or South Carolina guardianship attorney to ensure you’re following the process correctly. Here are the three main types of guardianships in NC and SC.

Guardianship Over a Person

This type of guardianship appoints a guardian to make decisions related to the personal well-being and care of another person, generally called a ward. The guardian can make decisions regarding the ward’s healthcare, education, living arrangements, and other personal aspects of their life. With this type of guardianship, the guardian is legally responsible for ensuring the ward’s needs are met and that they receive appropriate support and care.

For example, if you become guardian over a parent in Charlotte or Raleigh, you may need to coordinate with local physicians, home health agencies, or assisted living communities to create a safe daily routine. A guardianship lawyer North Carolina families trust can walk you through how to document these decisions for the court, respond to concerns from other relatives, and adjust the care plan if your loved one’s medical condition changes.

Guardianship Over an Estate

In guardianship over an estate, the guardian is appointed to handle their ward’s financial and property affairs. This type of guardianship is also called conservatorship or guardianship of property, and it becomes necessary when a person owns assets or property but can’t manage them by themselves due to incapacity or other reasons. 

The appointed guardian then becomes responsible for making financial decisions that are in the ward’s best interest, including managing the ward’s finances, paying their bills, and handling their investments.

General Guardianship

With general guardianship, the appointed guardian performs all the responsibilities covered by a guardian over a person and guardian over an estate. This means the guardian has the authority to make decisions for the ward regarding their well-being and financial matters. General guardianship is usually chosen when the ward needs comprehensive support and assistance in all areas of life. 

Legal Duties of a Guardian

For guardianship in North or South Carolina, the appointed guardian has to fulfill a few different legal duties based on the type of guardianship.

Personal Guardianship

• Schedule and maintain healthcare appointments 
• Administer prescribed medications 
• Make healthcare decisions based on doctor-recommended care 
• Provide appropriate living arrangements at home or in a facility 
• Arrange for in-home care if needed 
• Maintain education and school opportunities for minors

Estate Guardianship 

• Monitor and maintain bank accounts, investments, and other assets like real estate 
• Make responsible financial decisions on behalf of the ward while ensuring their needs are met 
• File for and maintain eligibility requirements (where possible) for social security, disability insurance, or other assistance programs

A guardian appointed under general guardianship will be responsible for all the above tasks.

Guardianship Scenarios

So, when is a guardian needed and appropriate for the situation? There are a few different scenarios where a guardian may be appointed, including: 

• Caring for a minor child that is not legally the guardian’s
• A spouse, parent, or adult sibling is no longer able to care for themselves due to a medical condition or severe injury
• Your own child has special needs or disabilities and turns 18

North Carolina Guardianship Process Overview

When you are considering guardianship in North Carolina, it can be helpful to understand what to expect from start to finish. Most cases begin in the clerk’s office of the county’s Superior Court, where you file a petition explaining why your loved one may be incompetent and what kind of guardian you are requesting. The court usually requires medical or psychological evaluations, and there may be a hearing where you and other family members can present information so the clerk can determine whether guardianship is necessary and which person should be appointed.

Once a guardian is appointed, North Carolina law generally requires ongoing reporting to the clerk, including initial inventories of assets for estate guardians and periodic accountings that show how money has been spent. Guardians of the person may also need to update the court on major changes in the ward’s health, living situation, or education, especially when decisions involve moves to nursing homes or other facilities. If disputes arise later, such as disagreements between siblings or concerns about how a guardian is managing funds, the court in counties like Mecklenburg or Wake can review the situation and adjust or remove the guardianship if appropriate.

Because this process involves strict deadlines, notice requirements, and detailed paperwork, many families choose to work with a guardianship attorney in North Carolina who can prepare filings, help coordinate evaluations, and represent them at hearings. Having legal guidance can reduce stress, ensure that you are meeting your obligations under state law, and give you a clearer plan for how to care for your loved one while staying in compliance with court orders and reporting rules.