Guardianship of a Child or Adult Lawyer in Orlando, FL

Guardianship of a Child or Adult Overview

An Experienced Attorney for Guardianship
Matters in Orlando and Central Florida

At the law offices of Frank G. Finkbeiner Attorney at Law, we handle guardianship-related legal needs and issues of every type for client in Orlando, Orange County and throughout central Florida. We represent family members seeking guardianship of minor children or vulnerable adults, as well as individuals, including minor children and disabled adults, who want to oppose or rescind the appointment of a legal guardianship. Lastly, we also advise and represent legal guardians themselves in all appropriate technical, procedural and fiduciary matters relating to Florida courts.

We are led by attorney Frank G. Finkbeiner, a skilled practitioner who has more than 30 years of experience with Florida guardianship law, voluntary guardianships, involuntary guardianships, limited guardianships and plenary guardianships. We pride ourselves on providing every client with prompt, professional representation and with our responsive, personal attention throughout the process.

Child Guardianship Basics

Guardianships involving minor children typically arise when parents die or can no longer care for their children. The appointment of a legal guardian for a child is also required if a child receives an inheritance, lawsuit proceeds or insurance policy benefits that exceed the amount Florida law allows parents to receive on behalf of a child. In each of these situations, Florida courts will appoint a lawyer to represent and protect the interests of the affected children until a legal guardian is chosen. Child guardianships end when a child reaches the age of 18.

Adult Guardianship Basics

In Florida, a court may appoint a legal guardian for any adult found to be incapable of caring for themselves because of physical incapacitation, mental illness or disability, drug addiction or other reasons. As part of this process, the allegedly incapacitated person is examined by a court-appointed, three-member committee consisting of medical professionals with education and expertise in the area of the alleged incapacity. The committee usually has a psychologist or a psychiatrist and other doctors or nurses with specialized knowledge that will assist the court in making a determination of incapacity. The court will also appoint an attorney to represent and protect the interests of the allegedly incapacitated person.

Adult guardianships can be plenary (authority to exercise all delegable legal rights and powers) or limited in different ways by the court. These appointments last until the subject of the guardianship dies or regains the legal capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Guardianships Involving Accidents and Personal Injuries

A significant portion of our guardianship work is connected to serious accidents and fatal or debilitating injuries. Most of these cases come to our law firm through personal injury attorneys and firms serving clients in central Florida.

Contact Us to Discuss Your Concerns

Whether you are seeking to establish, oppose or remove a legal guardianship involving a child or adult, we can help. Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and concerns at our law firm today by contacting our Orlando offices online or by calling us directly at 407-459-8275 or 888-893-1052, toll free.

Our offices are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and evenings and weekends by appointment. We are conveniently located in a comfortable office setting near the courthouse in Orlando. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Other Frequent Case Types

• Probate Litigation in Orlando, FL

Areas of Practice

• Guardianship of a Child or Adult
• Probate & Estate Administration
• Elder Law