Lake County IL Adult Guardianship Attorneys

Lawyers in Libertyville Helping Protect Adults with Disabilities Through Guardians

At some point in our lives, we will probably need assistance from another person. For some, the need is temporary, such as while recuperating from an injury or a medical procedure. For others, however, their needs are much more serious and long-lasting. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we know that factors like physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and advancing age can all make a person much more reliant on the help of others. If a member of your family or a loved one is struggling to manage their own lives due to concerns of this nature, our skilled lawyers can help you determine if pursuing an adult guardianship might be appropriate.

Illinois Counsel for Guardianship Proceedings

According to the law in Illinois, guardianship over an adult can be granted by the court if the court finds that the adult in question is disabled in a manner that requires a guardian's help. A qualifying disability is considered to be any physical, mental, emotional, or other condition that prevents a person from making responsible decisions about his or her affairs or communicating those decisions to others. An adult could be found to be disabled as a result of:

• Physical problems;
• Mental illness or psychological disorders;
• Developmental or cognitive impairments; or
• Deteriorated mental faculties.

Sudden events like a contracted illness or accident could cause a disability, or the condition could develop gradually over time, such as the result of a degenerative disease.

Guardianship Types

If you wish to be named guardian for a loved one with disabilities, you can make such a request from the court. It will be up to the court, however, to determine the extent of the help that the person needs. Under Illinois law, there are two primary areas of responsibility. You could be named guardian of the estate to help with the person's financial affairs. A guardian of the estate is similar to a power of attorney for property. The difference is that a guardian is appointed by the court while a power of attorney is selected by the person in need of help.

You could also be appointed guardian of the person, which is similar to a power of attorney for health care. As a guardian of the person, you can make medical and health-related decisions for the disabled adult, as well as help them apply for government benefit programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The court may also choose to appoint separate individuals to serve as guardian of the person and guardian of the estate if both are needed, or the same person can be appointed to both roles.

Within the two categories of guardianship, the court has the power to limit your authority regarding the person's affairs. For example, you could be appointed as guardian for the purposes of helping your loved one pay his or her medical bills for a certain period but not have the authority to decide what types of treatment he or she will receive. Alternatively, you could be given virtually unlimited decision-making authority for the rest of your loved one's life.

Vernon Hills Lawyers For Establishing Guardianship

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we recognize that the process of obtaining guardianship of a disabled adult can be complicated and stressful. It can also be extremely personal. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience, and we will help you address any obstacles that may arise.

For more information, contact our office. Call 847-549-0000 for a free phone consultation at any one of our five locations. Our knowledgeable team represents clients in Libertyville, Gurnee, Lake Bluff, Grayslake, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Arlington Heights, North Chicago, and the surrounding areas.