Guardianship Questions about Your Loved One?

Get Answers from Our La Crosse Elder Law Lawyers

When your loved one is no longer able to make and to communicate safe or sound decisions in managing their lives, legal guardianship is an option. Moen Sheehan Meyer, Ltd has looked after the legal protections of our Coulee Region’s elderly and their families since our inception in 1853. Our La Crosse elder law lawyers provide you with personalized, experienced, and knowledgeable insights to help you determine if guardianship is the appropriate next step.

Guardianship, also referred to as conservatorship, is the legal process appointing a person, institution, or agency to manage only the affairs your loved one is incapable of handling. All too often, our valued seniors become prey to fraud or undue influence. Guardianship can help prevent the loss of assets your loved one has worked a lifetime to achieve. Our La Crosse elder law lawyers look at the “big picture” to help you protect the best interests of your loved one and your family.

La Crosse Person Guardianship

The guardian of the person manages the daily affairs of an individual. Responsibilities of the person guardian could include:

Nursing home, or other residential determination and monitoring
Medical treatment consent and monitoring
End-of-life decisions
Property management, buying, or selling
Social security, government benefits applications
Lawsuit filings or contracts
Non-medical consent and monitoring education and counseling
Confidential information consent and release
Act as the representative payee
Maximize independence in the least restrictive manner possible
Reports to the courts at least annually

La Crosse Estate or Property Guardianship

The guardian of the estate manages the financial affairs for the individual. The estate includes real and personal property, tangible and intangible, and anything that is the subject of ownership. Responsibilities of the estate guardian could include:

Protect assets and property from loss
Property appraisals
Receive estate incomes
Pay bills
Selling, mortgaging, donating assets – Must obtain court approval first
Report estate status to the court
Make prudent investments

La Crosse Professional Guardianship

Although a professional guardian often forms a bond with your loved one, he or she does not take the place of a family member. The professional guardian receives a fee for carrying out the responsibilities given by the court. Responsibilities of the professional guardian could include:

Coordinating and monitoring needed services
- Caretaker selection
- In-home care
Estate or property guardianship
Person guardianship

Benefit From Our La Crosse Elder Law Experience

Establishing guardianship removes many of the rights your family member currently has, and is generally a last resort. There are alternatives. Our professional La Crosse elder law lawyers take the time to discuss your concerns and make the most of the seamless working relationships between our practice areas to discover appropriate options.

As the second oldest law firm in the State of Wisconsin, we have seen the challenges of elder care change throughout the years. We understand the difficult position our seniors and their families are in, and we are here to help.