Guardianships
It is never easy to watch loved ones struggle with decision-making as they age. If you have a spouse, parent or other loved one who is no longer able to care for himself or herself, you may want to consider stepping in to set up a guardianship. With a guardianship in place, you would be able to make personal and financial decisions for your loved one.
Establishing a guardianship arrangement in New Jersey can be a complex process. Fortunately attorneys Andrew M. Wolfenson and Rebecca S. Ashkenazi have almost 50 years combined experience handling these and other elder law issues. They leads our firm in providing sensitive, compassionate service to clients in Union, Paterson, Elizabeth, and throughout northern and central New Jersey.
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Preserving Your Loved One’s Dignity And Self-Respect
At our offices in Union and Cedar Knolls, we are of the belief that guardianships are useful tools to prevent the elderly from being taken advantage of. We realize, however, that it is not always easy to select the right guardian, and members of a family may disagree on who should be designated.
That is why we handle guardianship, elder law and estate planning issues in ways that preserve both family harmony and the dignity of the elderly person. When there are disagreements, we are there to give honest advice and let the family reach its own decisions.
Are There Any Guardianship Alternatives?
Depending on your specific situation, there may be alternatives to guardianship that are a better fit for your family:
- Power of attorney: If your loved one created a power of attorney and it is valid, then a guardianship may not be necessary.
- Living wills/advance health care directives: Your loved one may have one of these documents that specify what should happen in the event of incapacitation.
- Trust: Many types of trusts contain comprehensive directions for care and decision-making.
When you visit one of our New Jersey offices, we can sit down with you and have a conversation about your family and the needs of your loved one. If guardianship is the best tool available to you, we will take steps to create one. If instead an alternative is in place, we will help you take appropriate action.
Contact A Morris County Lawyer With Your Legal Guardian Questions
If you are ready to talk to someone about legal tools that can help you care for a loved one, call Wolfenson & Ashkenazi, P.C. You can reach us at 908-686-7230 or by sending an email. Your initial consultation is free of charge. Offices in Union and Cedar Knolls for your convenience.