Types Of Florida Guardianship

Guardianships have gotten a bad reputation as of late with high profile cases like that of Britney Spears in the news. However, guardianships can be an incredibly beneficial method of protecting and providing for someone who cannot care for themselves. At Bubley & Bubley, P.A. in Tampa, our experienced guardianship lawyers are here to help answer all your questions about establishing a guardianship for a loved one. To learn more, call or contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Minor Guardianship 

One of the most common forms of guardianship is a minor guardianship. There are a few different reasons why someone may be appointed a guardian of a minor. The first reason that a guardian may be appointed for a minor “ward” is when the child’s parents die or otherwise become incapacitated. One common example would be if a single parent was involved in a serious accident and could no longer care for their child.

A second reason why a guardian may be appointed for a child is due to monetary reasons. Per Florida law, if a child receives an inheritance, proceeds from a lawsuit, or the benefits of an insurance policy that exceeds a certain amount a guardian is appointed by the court to ensure that these funds are stewarded properly for the child.

Voluntary & Involuntary Adult Guardianship 

Adults can also be placed into a guardianship in Florida, either voluntarily or involuntarily. A voluntary guardianship is established when an adult petitions for a guardian to help manage their estate despite being deemed mentally competent to do so. A common example is when an adult has serious physical disabilities that substantially impact their ability to manage their affairs. An involuntary guardianship is established through the petition of others when a person has such substantial physical or mental disabilities it reaches the point that they cannot make decisions in their own best interests.

Limited & Plenary Guardianship 

A limited guardianship may be appropriate if the ward has the capacity to manage some of their decisions but cannot manage it all. This option is also appropriate when the ward does not have an estate plan established that dictates decisions for all areas of their life. Conversely, a plenary guardian is granted the authority by the court to essentially make all decisions for a ward who is deemed incapable of doing so themselves. This includes all legal, financial, and medical choices on behalf of their ward. To learn more about the various forms of guardianship in Florida, talk to our office today.

Call or Contact Our Office Now 

Do you have more questions about guardianship in Florida and whether this is the right option for your situation? If so, the experienced and thoughtful Tampa guardianship lawyers at Bubley & Bubley, P.A. are here to provide the skilled legal counsel that you need. Call the office or contact us today online to speak with an attorney and schedule a consultation of your case now.