Practice Areas

Guardianships

Cook County Guardianship Lawyers

Guardianship is a legal process to appoint a caretaker for a person who is not able to take care of himself or herself. There are two types of guardianship in Illinois: personal and financial. If you are concerned about a loved one's ability to manage his or her personal or financial affairs, contact Bush & Heise, Attorneys at Law, in Barrington, Illinois, to receive a free initial consultation  about your options.

There are several circumstances when caretakers need to be appointed as a loved one's guardian:

• To manage money for minor children. If your child receives money from a life insurance policy, inheritance or personal injury lawsuit, you must be appointed as your child's guardian to control the money until the child reaches 18. If the child is disabled, the guardian will control the money until the court orders the money distributed.
• To care for a disabled child. If you have a disabled child, you will need to be named as your child's guardian to make decisions for your child.
• To care for elders. If your parents are not competent to sign a power of attorney, you will need to be appointed as your parents' guardian to place them in a nursing home or even pay their bills. Without either a power of attorney or being named your parents' legal guardian, you would not have power to do anything.

Many people are confused by what obligations or liability they may have as a guardian. Our lawyers have nearly 30 years of experience helping people through the guardianship process. Contact our elder law firm to speak directly with an attorney. We offer free initial consultations, evening and weekend appointments, and accept MasterCard and Visa payments for your convenience.

Attorney Brian L. Heise is a member of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.