Guardianship

St. Petersburg Guardianship Lawyers

Guidance on Elderly Conservatorship in St. Petersburg

There may come a time where your elderly loved one can no longer take care of himself or herself. When that happens, a guardian must be appointed by the court. Guardians are responsible for making sure their ward is taken care of.

Guardianship responsibilities may include:

  • Picking up groceries
  • Making sure they eat
  • Making sure they take necessary medications
  • Managing their finances
  • Arranging their living situation
  • Arranging transport to and from appointments
  • Making sure they remain in good health

Florida Guardians do not necessarily do all of these tasks themselves – many people hire a caretaker or find a nursing facility to help them with the workload.

Courts take guardianship appointment very seriously. It is critical that the person given this power can be trusted to act with integrity and the highest ethical standards. This is why family members of the elderly often petition for guardianship themselves.

If you are seeking guardianship of a loved one, contact the elder law attorneys of HKH Elder Law in St. Petersburg today. We can help you navigate Florida guardianship laws.

Steps to Establish Guardianship in Florida

Establishing guardianship is a complex process. This is to protect the elderly person, who will lose some of their rights when guardianship is established. Filing for guardianship can be both expensive and time consuming, so as to discourage people who might not have the ward’s best interests at heart from applying.

In Florida, you must meet the following qualifications to be named a guardian:

  • Over 18 years old
  • A resident of Florida (you do not have to be a resident if you are directly related to the ward and have not been convicted of a felony)
  • You have a familial or friendly relationship with the ward

If you are an eligible guardian, you will then have to file a petition the court to determine the ward’s incapacity, another one to request an appointment of a guardian, and a final one to have yourself appointed as guardian. The court will appoint an attorney to represent the allegedly incapacitated person. Limiting someone’s rights is no small task, and the courts do everything in their power to make sure that this is the best decision for all parties involved.

Timeline for Guardianship Proceedings in Florida

Establishing guardianship of an elderly person in Florida can take many months depending on the circumstances surrounding the individual. This process is intended to be pretty difficult to ensure that the appointed guardian has the elderly family member or friend's best interest at heart.

Do You Have to Be a Family Member to Be a Guardian?

No, you do not have to be a family member to be a guardian in Florida. Although, many guardians do end up being family members.

Seek Professional Guardianship Assistance in St. Petersburg

At HKH Elder Law, we have helped numerous people establish guardianships in the state of Florida. We are thoroughly familiar with the guardianship process, and can walk you through it step by step. When filing for guardianship, it is important that all of your information is accurately represented. We can assist you with the filling process and make sure that everything is in order. Contact us for a legal guardianship attorney in the St. Petersburg area.

Call (727) 240-2350 to schedule a consultation at HKH Elder Law today. Our guardianship attorneys in St. Petersburg are prepared to help you take care of your loved ones, so give us a call today. 

Discover Our Guardianship Support Services

Guardianship - What To Expect

    "He is very knowledgeable about elder law especially, and I feel fortunate to know him and be able to avail myself of his services."
    - Joyce L.
    "We were overwhelmed and didn't know where to start, but the team at HKH Elder Law made the entire process so much easier. Their communication was outstanding, every question we had was answered promptly and clearly, and they took the time to explain each s"
    We were overwhelmed and didn't know where to start, but the team at HKH Elder Law made the entire process so much easier. Their communication was outstanding, every question we had was answered promptly and clearly, and they took the time to explain each s
    - Ebony B.
    "I highly recommend Jonathan and the entire team at HKH Elder Law."
    I was referred to HKH Elder Law by my sister-in-law (an elder care attorney in MA). It was a phenomenal recommendation; working with Jonathan Kinsella of HKH Elder Law proved to be the perfect choice.
    - Tom
    "Extremely Knowledgeable and Professional"
    I highly recommend them; you will be glad to work with them on all your elder care needs.
    - Susan
    "HKH Elder Law guided us through the complications patiently, and efficiently. The words that come to mind are professionalism, flexibility, people skills, integrity, and responsiveness. Great experience - highly recommend!"
    HKH Elder Law guided us through the complications patiently, and efficiently. The words that come to mind are professionalism, flexibility, people skills, integrity, and responsiveness. Great experience - highly recommend!
    - Marcia F.
    "Experts in their field. Very knowledgeable. Offer free zoom meetings that cover so many subjects including Medicare, Medicaid, will, estate planning."
    Experts in their field. Very knowledgeable. Offer free zoom meetings that cover so many subjects including Medicare, Medicaid, will, estate planning.”Experts in their field. Very knowledgeable. Offer free zoom meetings that cover so many subjects inc
    - Ursula R.
    "She and her entire team truly care about their clients."
    She and her entire team truly care about their clients.
    - Chelsie L.
    "They will make things clear and simple for you."
    As a family member who has provided support for seven family members as they moved through the continuum of being healthy and independent to requiring end-of-life care, I can heartily recommend the Hill and Kinsella Law Firm. I was referred to April Hill by my own stellar estate planning attorney when I needed assistance with my parents in the Tampa Bay area. I couldn't be more pleased with the entire process for creating updated documents to the execution of those documents to follow-up counsel in applying the documents. If you are considering an attorney/firm to help you with this part of your life or are a family member who needs guidance, call Hill and Kinsella. They will make things clear and simple for you.
    - Tracy S.

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