You may need to seek guardianship of a child or vulnerable adult. Perhaps you are a vulnerable adult and recognize your need for a guardian. No matter the details of your situation, a Bellevue family lawyer from Dellino Family Law is here to help.
Best Law Firms has ranked our team among the “Best Lawyers.” It is always our goal to deliver exceptional service and results to our clients. You can trust a guardianship lawyer in Bellevue from our team to handle your case with care, professionalism, and efficiency.
Why You Might Need to Pursue Guardianship
Sometimes, a person cannot care for themselves or make sound life decisions. The person could be a child whose parents have died or who lacks the ability or willingness to fulfill parental responsibilities. The parents could struggle with addiction or be incarcerated.
The person could be an adult with a disability. They could have been born with the condition or have acquired it after an accident or illness. Whatever the case, the disability prevents them from managing their health, finances, and daily needs independently. Older adults contending with the physical and/or cognitive decline that comes with aging also face these issues.
These vulnerable parties need a guardian to care for them and make important decisions on their behalf. You may want to assume that role, and a guardianship attorney in Bellevue can help. Our team has recently celebrated 10 years of empowering families. We have the experience to guide you through the legal process and provide support at every step.
How to Petition for Guardianship of a Minor
To pursue guardianship of a child, you need to file several court forms with the court system to request guardianship of a minor. The documents include a petition for minor guardianship and a declaration explaining the reasons for minor guardianship, among others. In the declaration, you must establish that either:
- The child’s parents agree to the guardianship
- The parents’ parental rights have been terminated
- There is clear evidence that neither parent is willing or able to care for the child
You and other members of your household will have to submit to background checks. As a lay guardian, a family or friend seeking guardianship, you’ll also need to complete minor guardianship lay guardian training.
Additional Steps in the Legal Process
A Bellevue guardianship attorney can handle subsequent steps in the process, too. For example, the parents and other relevant parties must be served with the petition, notice of hearing, summons, and other documents. You may need to inform others involved in the child’s life of your petition, and an attorney can help you with that communication.
You may want to submit additional evidence to support your petition. An experienced lawyer can help you gather and submit that information in accordance with the rules of evidence. Initial guardianship hearings usually occur in about 60 days. If everything is in order and there are no disputes, the judge may issue your official letter of guardianship at the hearing.
If you are the child’s stepparent, you do not have the authority to make legal, medical, or educational decisions for your stepchild without court-ordered approval. Since a stepparent is not automatically a legal guardian, you need to go through the guardianship process.
Special Guardianship Situations
Life can change quickly. You may unexpectedly need to become a guardian for a child in your life. Some parents prepare for this eventuality in advance. We can help you through either process.
Emergency Guardianship
A sudden tragedy may leave a child without parents, or parents’ instability may put the child in danger. In these situations and others, you may need to get emergency custody of a child. Emergency procedures shorten the time until the initial hearing, so you can gain legal authority more quickly.
If you need to secure immediate guardianship, you can request an immediate order from the court.
Dellino Family Law has helped potential guardians in these emergency situations. We can help you compile and complete the court forms to request an emergency minor guardianship.
Standby Guardianship
Planning for “the worst” doesn’t mean the worst will happen. It does mean you are better prepared to face unwanted circumstances should they arise. Parents can put contingent guardianship plans in place ahead of time under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 11.130.220.
Under this law, parents can designate someone they trust to assume guardianship over their children if the parents die or become incapacitated. This option also serves parents of children with disabilities. These children will likely outlive their parents. Knowing there is a guardian in place who understands their child’s needs can bring tremendous peace. It also gives the guardian time to understand their role.
A Bellevue Guardianship Lawyer Can Attend to All Your Legal Needs
Taking on guardianship duties is a commitment, and the process itself can seem daunting. It’s important to know exactly what you are “signing up for” before petitioning for guardianship. Our team can explain all the implications and clarify your responsibilities.
Then, we can manage your claim from start to finish. We can ensure accurate completion of all required documentation. Even minor mistakes can set the process back, and we can prevent that. We can help you present evidence to convince the court of your qualifications and prepare you for court hearings.
While pursuing guardianship is a legal process, it’s also an emotional one. Petitions often follow tragic, unexpected, or unfortunate circumstances. Petitioning for guardianship can strain your relationship with a child’s troubled parent, who may feel you are intruding on their lives. You can expect efficiency, as well as empathy and compassion, from our team as we manage your case.
We’ll Take Care of Everything
Dellino Family Law is here to serve and get you results. Connect with an experienced guardianship lawyer in Bellevue to discuss your situation, develop a plan, and set it in motion.
We will take care of all your legal needs and work to get you to the finish line as peacefully and swiftly as possible.
