Life can change unexpectedly.
Every guardianship matter begins with a family facing difficult decisions.
Illness, injury, dementia, developmental disability, or other changes can sometimes leave a loved one needing help with important personal or financial
decisions. We help families understand what options are available, whether guardianship is necessary, and what makes sense for their particular circumstances. When guardianship is the right path, we help families navigate the process while keeping their loved one's well-being, dignity, and independence at the center.
Our
Approach
01
Guardianship of the Person
Guardianship of
the Person
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When a person can no longer make informed decisions about medical care, housing, or daily needs, guardianship of the person provides the legal authority necessary to make those decisions.
When a person can no longer make informed decisions about medical care, housing, or daily needs, guardianship of the person provides the legal authority necessary to make those decisions.
Guardianship of the Property
Guardianship of
the Property
02
When a person is no longer able to manage their finances or property, guardianship of the property provides the legal authority necessary to protect assets, manage financial affairs, and make important financial decisions.
When a person is no longer able to manage their finances or property, guardianship of the property provides the legal authority necessary to protect assets, manage financial affairs, and make important financial decisions.
Emergency Guardianship
Emergency Guardianship
03
When immediate action is necessary to protect a person's health, safety, or financial well-being, emergency guardianship provides a legal process for prompt court intervention.
When immediate action is necessary to protect a person's health, safety, or financial well-being, emergency guardianship provides a legal process for prompt court intervention.
Contested Guardianship
Contested
Guardianship
04
Some guardianship proceedings require litigation. When the need for a guardian, a person's capacity, or the appointment of a guardian is disputed, we provide experienced advocacy throughout the proceedings.
Some guardianship proceedings require litigation. When the need for a guardian, a person's capacity, or the appointment of a guardian is disputed, we provide experienced advocacy throughout the proceedings.
When Circumstances Change
When Circumstances
Change
05
Guardianship orders are not always permanent. When circumstances change, we help families seek the court approval necessary to modify or terminate an existing guardianship.
Guardianship orders are not always permanent. When circumstances change, we help families seek the court approval necessary to modify or terminate an existing
guardianship.
Jurisdiction
Matters
Adult guardianship proceedings in Washington, D.C. and Maryland
share many of the same legal principles and procedural requirements, despite being governed by different statutes and court systems. We help families navigate each jurisdiction while addressing the
legal requirements unique to that jurisdiction.
Where This
Matters
Most
A Loved One Has
Progressive Cognitive Decline
01
Progressive cognitive decline can make it difficult for an individual to safely make important personal or financial decisions.
A Loved One Has
Progressive Cognitive
Decline
01
Progressive cognitive decline can make it difficult for an individual to safely make important personal or financial decisions.
A Serious Illness or Injury
Changes Everything
02
A stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other medical condition may leave someone unable to manage their own affairs.
A Serious Illness or Injury
Changes Everything
02
A stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other medical condition may leave someone unable to manage their own affairs.
An Adult Child with
Disabilities Turns Eighteen
03
When a child reaches adulthood, parents may need legal authority to continue making important decisions on their behalf.
An Adult Child with
Disabilities Turns Eighteen
03
When a child reaches adulthood, parents may need legal authority to continue making important decisions on their behalf.
Financial Exploitation
Becomes a Concern
04
Guardianship may become necessary when a vulnerable adult is unable to protect themselves from financial abuse or exploitation.
Financial Exploitation
Becomes a Concern
04
Guardianship may become necessary when a vulnerable adult is unable to protect themselves from financial abuse or exploitation.
Immediate Court
Intervention Is Needed
05
Some situations require prompt court action to protect a person's health,
safety, or financial well-being.
Immediate Court
Intervention Is Needed
05
Some situations require prompt
court action to protect a person's health, safety, or financial well-being.
Understanding
Your Options
Powers of Attorney
Powers of Attorney
When valid powers of attorney are already in place, guardianship may not be necessary. Financial and health care powers of attorney may provide trusted individuals with the authority to assist with important decisions without the need for court intervention. We help families evaluate existing documents and determine whether they provide sufficient authority to address the individual's current needs.
When valid powers of attorney are already in place, guardianship may not be necessary. Financial and health care powers of attorney may provide trusted individuals with the authority to assist with important decisions without the need for court intervention. We help families evaluate existing documents and determine whether they provide sufficient authority to address the individual's current needs.
01
01
Adult Guardianship
02
02
When a person can no longer make important personal or financial decisions and less restrictive alternatives are unavailable or insufficient, guardianship may provide the legal authority needed to protect their well-being.
When a person can no longer make important personal or financial decisions and less restrictive alternatives are unavailable or insufficient, guardianship may provide the legal authority needed to protect their well-being.
Emergency Guardianship
Emergency
Guardianship
03
03
When immediate court intervention is necessary, emergency guardianship may provide temporary legal authority to address urgent health, safety, or financial concerns.
When immediate court intervention is necessary, emergency guardianship may provide temporary legal authority to address urgent health, safety, or financial concerns.
Less Restrictive
Alternatives & Limited
Guardianship
04
04
Not every situation requires a guardianship, and not every guardianship needs to be broad. When appropriate, less restrictive alternatives may allow an individual to receive needed support while retaining greater independence and decision-making authority.
When guardianship is necessary, a limited guardianship can restrict the guardian's authority to only those decisions the individual cannot make independently.
Not every situation requires a guardianship, and not every guardianship needs to be broad. When appropriate, less restrictive alternatives may allow an individual to receive needed support while retaining greater independence and decision-making authority.
When guardianship is necessary, a limited guardianship can restrict the guardian's authority to only those decisions the individual cannot make independently.
Ongoing Court
Oversight
Ongoing Court
Oversight
Guardianship is not a one-time court proceeding. Court-appointed guardians have continuing responsibilities, including filing reports, annual accountings, and other documents required throughout the guardianship.
Guardianship is not a one-time court proceeding. Court-appointed guardians have continuing responsibilities, including filing reports, annual accountings, and other documents required throughout the guardianship.
05
05
You Don't Have to
Navigate This Alone.
Whether you're considering guardianship for the first time,
responding to an urgent situation, or serving as an existing guardian,
we'll help you understand your options and determine the most appropriate path forward.
Client experiences and results vary.
Past results do not guarantee or predict
a similar outcome in any future matter.
Stuart B.
Stuart B.
“The Department of Health and Human Services initiated a guardianship case involving my uncle in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Department was comfortable with family members serving as guardian of my uncle's person, but wanted the court to appoint someone outside the family to oversee his property and finances. I reached out to Ms. Braxton, and she represented our family in the contested guardianship case.
With Ms. Braxton representing us, we were able to challenge the Department's position and ultimately reach an agreement.
Family members were appointed as co-guardians of both my uncle's person and property. This was an amazing result
not just for my uncle, but for our family as a whole.”
“The Department of Health and Human Services initiated a guardianship case involving my uncle in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Department was comfortable with family members serving as guardian of my uncle's person, but wanted the court to appoint someone outside the family to oversee his property and finances. I reached out to Ms. Braxton, and she represented our family in the contested guardianship case.
With Ms. Braxton representing us, we were able to challenge the Department's position and ultimately reach an agreement. Family members were appointed as co-guardians of both my uncle's person and property. This was an amazing result not just for my uncle, but for our family as a whole.”
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