  While most middle-aged and older adults recognize their need for a Will and a basic estate plan, far fewer understand when it may (or may not) be in their best interest to have a formal guardian appointed to help them manage all their personal and financial (estate) decisions. In general, if you’re still capable of making fully competent decisions regarding your finances, basic living arrangements, and medical care needs, you probably don’t need a guardian appointed for you. However, if you’re currently suffering from some form of mental incapacity or dementia that impairs your ability to handle such matters, then you may need to have a guardian appointed to help you manage your affairs (either temporarily or permanently). This article first reviews some of the dangers that can occur when the wrong person becomes your guardian and then lists the various legal documents that can help all adults provide for their general medical, financial, and everyday needs should they unexpectedly become very ill or need extensive medical treatment. Can Courts Abruptly Take Away Elderly People’s Rights to Live as They Choose? The New Yorker magazine recently published an article in October 2017 entitled, “How the Elderly Lose Their Rights.” It details the real-life experience of many seniors who suddenly found themselves under the control of a “questionable” court-appointed guardian in Clark County, Nevada. In some cases, these older Americans were in regular contact with family members – when a local court guardian decided that they could no longer live on their own and required her overbearing control of their lives. In some instances, all it took was a hired home healthcare aide’s statement that the elderly person could no longer properly care for himself or his spouse, even though appropriate outside care had obviously been employed for such purposes. One court guardian (who’s been indicted for her actions), would simply arrive at an elderly person’s apartment or senior care facility and announce that she had just gotten herself appointed as that person’s (or couple’s) legal guardian. That same day, the individuals were then forced to leave where they had been living and go move in where this previously unknown woman directed. Immediate attempts by family and other outsiders who tried to help proved futile. Instead of the court allowing the elderly to appear in court to respond to concerns about their mental competency, the court allowed a court-appointed, professional guardian to file emergency ex parte petitions indicating that immediate decisions had to be made regarding the seniors’ best interests. One couple’s daughter who tried to help her parents after they suddenly disappeared from their home had to endure various types of character assassination before she finally won their freedom. By that time, all her parent’s finances had been drained – supposedly spent in their best interests. Sadly, the article also contains the chilling observation that this type of elder abuse has become far too common in many counties across this nation – especially in areas where seniors tend to congregate. Hopefully, more states will follow Nevada’s current plans to soon pass legislation that will expressly give seniors the right to be represented by attorneys during all guardianship competency hearings. Conclusions Since no adult ever wants to be suddenly “kidnapped” or taken somewhere (at any age) by a court-appointed guardian or “professional” — it makes sense for all older adults to have their lawyers provide them with the following critical documents: an Advance Directive for Medical Care, a Durable Power of Attorney and a Declaration of Guardian in the Event of Later Incapacity or Need of Guardian. By naming someone you know and trust in these documents, it should make it easier for your relatives and friends to help you in a manner that fully comports with your stated preferences should you one day become very ill or incapacitated. Please contact our law firm if you need to ask any questions about creating an estate plan or having the types of documents referenced in this article prepared for you and other loved ones. 700 Gemini, Suite 115 Houston, Texas 77058 281.488.0630 Posted in Documents, Durable Power of Attorney, Estate Planning, Finance, Grief & Finances, Guardian, Guardian, Law, Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney, Murray Lobb, Personal Finance, Personal Injury, Planning, Preparations, Texas Tagged #decisions, #declarationofguardian, #durablepowerofattorney, #elderly, #finances, #guardian, #guardianship, #knowledgeispower, #legalguardian, #medicalcare, #MurrayLobb, #rights, #seniors, #Texas, law
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