Law Firm Overview

THANK YOU for allowing us to assist you with these important decisions. We would like to take a moment to introduce you to ourselves.

The firm of Barbara McDaniel Harris, Attorney at Law practices family and probate law with an emphasis on guardianships, conservatorships and special needs trusts.

Barbara McDaniel Harris, Attorney at Law has represented California families in the superior courts of Kern, Los Angeles, Alameda, Contra Costa and San Bernadino Counties as well as in the United States Eastern District Court. Out-of-state residents frequently seek our assistance with their California family law and probate matters.

Our firm is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

Our office staff will usually take information and assist you with questions that you have. Most of your needs can be met by Mary or Sabrina. If your need is not an emergency, we will attempt to respond to any message you leave within 24 hours.

Please note that more often than not the attorney is out of the office in court in the mornings or in meetings. Office appointments are generally scheduled after 2pm to insure that the attorney will be available.

The attorney works in the best interest of all our clients and the time spent with each client is quality time, so if you experience a short wait for an appointment or returned phone call, please be assured that the same amount of time will be spent on your case as on others, or more if warranted.

We look forward to representing you in your legal matter and we will make every effort to obtain a judgment that is in the best interest of your family.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

The processing of your petition is likely to be lengthy. That is because some or all of the following entities may be involved: the County Probation Department, the Department of Human Services, the Kern Regional Center, the court's investigator, the Department of Family Services and various doctors. In addition, the court may appoint an attorney for the prospective ward or conservatee. Each entity named is required to perform some sort of investigation and submit a report or declaration to the court. Once they have all done so, the court clerks will schedule your hearing. Hearing dates are often set before all reports have been submitted. When this happens, the judge will set a new date to allow the information to be provided. We are usually able to find out in advance when the matter is not ready for hearing because of missing reports. You will not need to come to court until all reports have been submitted.

In the early stages of this process, you may be granted a Temporary Guardianship or Conservatorship, which will remain in effect until all reports are in and your permanent Guardianship or Conservatorship is granted.

The information provided is a very brief summary of all you will learn as you go through this intricate process that is designed to help you protect your loved one. Our office staff is available to answer the questions you are sure to have. Our goal is to insure your success.

We look forward to providing you with our competent service, coupled with the compassion for which this office is renowned.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Guardianship - when the parents are not available to care for their minor children due to extreme illness, drug or alcohol abuse, incarceration or death, the court may award a legal guardian the right to act as a parent until the parents are able to provide care or until the children reach adulthood.

Conservatorship - the court may appoint a person or organization to protect and manage the personal care and/or finances of an adult when that adult is determined to be unable to do so for his or herself.

Limited Conservatorship - a conservatorship for a developmentally disabled adult, which also requires the conservator to help the limited conservatee develop maximum self-reliance and independence.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Adoption
• Child Support
• Custody & Visitation
• Divorce
• Stepparent Adoption
• Abandonment of Children
• Domestic Violence
• Guardianships & Conservatorships

West Practice Categories

Guardianships & Conservatorships, Family Law, Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence & Neglect, Paternity