Legal Guardianship
Parameters of Guardianship in Hawaii
There are situations in life where one may need to become a legal guardian for another. The reasons can range from a family member taking care of a niece or nephew in a tough family situation to becoming legally responsible for someone that no longer possesses the mental capacity to care take care of their own legal matters or finances. Regardless of the situation, Case Lombardi can help determine the best course of action for you and be there with you through the entire legal process to achieve your goal.
In the event that you are seeking guardianship of a minor, you can apply as a single person or a couple, if you are looking to care for a child. Once granted, this guardianship allows the person(s)the legal ability to make decisions for the minor in the same way a parent would, as well as placing the same responsibilities on that person.
Adults can also fall into this situation, and legal guardians can help care for their legal affairs as well as maintain the finances of a person that has been deemed unable to do so for themselves.
Examples of a Guardianship:
• Care of a child whose parent(s) have substance abuse problems and need full-time care.
• A child whose parents passed away and has no other family members to care for them.
• An adult friend or family member who no longer has the mental capacity to care for themselves in all normal regards.
• An elderly person with some kind of medical condition that prevents them from making normal decisions in their life.
What Does a Guardianship Offer?
The point of every guardianship is to maintain the health and general well-being of the person under it. For minors, more decisions and protections are needed but, both adults and minors under a guardianship are meant to be cared for and protected by the person granted charge of them.
For Minors
Guardianship of a minor would essentially give that person custody of the minor in question, and the guardian would have to care for that child like a parent would. The guardian would be responsible in things that range from simple tasks like making sure the child is properly clothed, to larger decisions and responsibilities like providing medical care and signing legal documents for them.
For Adults
Someone that is given legal guardianship over an adult would probably be more immediately responsible for things like rent, food, and utility payments, as well as medical care and management of said person's finances. The person under their care would no longer be legally able to do some things for themselves like driving a car, signing legal documents, paying bills, or entering legal contracts/agreements without approval.