Category: Guardianships

Guardian misconduct may include financial abuse, poor recordkeeping, neglect of the ward's personal needs, or decisions that place the ward's well-being at risk. While not every disagreement with a guardian indicates wrongdoing, consistent failures to carry out court-appointed responsibilities should be taken seriously. A guardian has a fiduciary duty...

When a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities turns 18 in New Jersey, parents generally lose the automatic legal authority to make medical, financial, educational, and personal decisions on their child’s behalf. Even if a young adult still relies heavily on family support, the law recognizes them as a legal adult. In...

You can challenge a guardianship in New Jersey by asking the court to review whether the guardianship is still justified, was properly granted, or could be replaced with a less restrictive option. These cases often turn on capacity evidence, updated evaluations, and whether the arrangement truly protects the person involved.

A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed advocate who protects the best interests of a child or an incapacitated adult during a legal dispute. In New Jersey, courts appoint guardians ad litem when they need independent insight into what outcome best serves someone who cannot fully advocate for themselves. In contested guardianship,...

When a loved one is no longer able to manage their own affairs, families often face difficult choices about how to protect their well-being. In New Jersey, two legal arrangements, guardianship and conservatorship, can provide the necessary support. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes. Understanding the differences...