Your parent may need someone to step up and take control of his or her affairs and decisions. In Pennsylvania, becoming a guardian for the aging may require court intervention.
Sikov and Love, P.A. have the experience needed to help you every step of the way. While the guardianship process is not easy, it may provide you with peace of mind. Review some of the items required to protect your parent by becoming a guardian.
A doctor’s note
If your aging parent is no longer mentally capable of making sound decisions, a doctor may prove valuable in your quest to obtain guardianship status. A doctor must make a statement in the form of a letter or certificate detailing the reasons why someone no longer can care for himself or herself.
Filing a petition
You will need a judge to allow you to take over your parent’s affairs while he or she is alive. The process required involves filing a petition in the Court of Common Pleas. A notice is then sent to any living relative and to the subject of the guardianship request informing them of the petition.
Uncontested guardianship
After appropriate time passes, you will appear before the court. If no one has filed an action to contest your petition, the judge will likely appoint you as the guardian of your parent by issuing a decree. From this point, you will need to file updates with the court regarding your parent’s physical status, financial situation and an inventory of assets.
While not ideal, becoming a guardian to a parent allows you to take care of him or her in a way you know is best. Consult our website for other ways you might help with estate planning and care for your loved one.