When a Petition for Guardianship of an Adult with an Alledged Disability is filed, the Court will often times appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to conduct an investigation. The GAL is a local attorney who is responsible for representing the best interests of the Respondent in the guardianship proceeding.…
Articles Posted in contested guardianship
Powers of Attorney – The Forgotten Estate Planning Documents
One of the most important, but most often overlooked estate planning documents, are the Powers of Attorney. Powers of Attorney fall into one of two categories: (1) Powers of Attorney for Property and (2) Powers of Attorney for Health Care. Essentially a Power of Attorney legally authorizes a trusted family…
Enhancing Special Needs Estate Planning – The ABLE Act in Illinois
In a time when advances in medicine are providing longer, more fulfilling lives for our family members with special needs, it is more important than ever to take advantage of all the financial planning tools available for their specific needs. The Illinois ABLE Act provides for a new tax-advantaged investment program that allows…
Rights to Visitation in Guardianship Proceedings
When a guardian has been appointed for a person with a disability (the “ward”) there are sometimes disagreements as to that person’s care. These disagreements are usually between the guardian and the other relatives of the ward. Sometimes a guardian may attempt to push the limits of their power by blocking…
Ensuring Guardians Comply With Their Duties
When a guardian is appointed for a person with a disability (the “ward”), the guardian is required to follow certain guidelines. There are two types of guardianships in Illinois, and they each have different rules to follow. The first is “guardianship of the person.” The guardian of the person is…