Guardianship and Conservatorship
Guardianship is when one person’s rights are taken away and given to another person. A court takes away the rights of one person, called the Ward, and gives them to another person, called the Guardian. Since guardianship involves the taking away of a person’s rights, our office and the courts treat guardianship as a last resort. There are, however, some people who can no longer take care of themselves, who will not cooperate with family or friends, and who did not do legal planning in advance of their incapacity.
Examples may include a sick person who can no longer cook or clean but who refuses to get assistance; or an Alzheimer’s victim who is susceptible to being taken advantage of by unscrupulous business persons or even friends or family; or a nursing home resident who absolutely needs to be there but who refuses to stay. If the court finds that these people lack the capacity or ability to do the necessary acts for their everyday living, the court may appoint a guardian to do those things for them.
Contact Us. We Can Help.
Contact us today by calling our Delray Beach, FL office at (561) 733-4242 or click the “book a consultation” box below to schedule a time.
Attorney Scott Solkoff has worked together with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs on three significant projects designed to benefit Florida’s seniors. The first was the development of the Florida Guardianship Education Coalition which Mr. Solkoff co-chaired with the late Honorable Thomas E. Penick, Jr. The second was the development of a pooled special needs trust managed by a legislatively-created direct service organization. The trust is the first of its kind to provide legislatively-authorized protection for assets of persons with disabilities while also providing funding for indigent people who require otherwise cost-prohibitive guardianship. The third project is the housing of SHINE volunteers in the offices of Solkoff Legal, P.A.
Solkoff Legal, P.A. was selected as a counseling site where seniors can meet with trained volunteers who provide consumer guidance on Medicare and other insurance choices. Solkoff Legal, P.A. provides complimentary space and support services for the Florida Department of Elder Affairs SHINE program. For more information on the SHINE program or to set an appointment with a SHINE representative, visit the SHINE website. The fact that the SHINE program meets in the law offices of Solkoff Legal, P.A. does not imply any legal advice or endorsement by Solkoff Legal, P.A. of advice provided by SHINE representatives and nor does this program infer any endorsement of Solkoff Legal, P.A. by the SHINE program or the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. This program is part of the charitable mission of Solkoff Legal, P.A.
