After years of making decisions and taking care of him or herself, there comes a time when a person’s aging loved one can no longer do so. When this happens, who will make the important decisions? Who will make sure the bills are paid, decide where the loved one will live and make sure that the he/she is properly cared for? Unless steps were taken to address this issue prior to its becoming a necessity, it may be necessary for the Colorado resident to petition the courts for guardianship of the loved one.
Friends or family deciding that the individual is no longer able to make decisions is not enough. One cannot simply restrict another’s rights to make personal and/or financial decisions. In order to obtain guardianship, the court must first be petitioned. All those involved are generally notified, and an investigation is conducted. Once these details have been attended to, a hearing will be held to determine the merits of the petition.
Once an individual is appointed as guardian, he or she will be tasked with making decisions in the best interest of the individual. These decisions often involve where the individual will live, what medical treatment he/she will receive, how his/her financial affairs will be handled and more. Depending upon the circumstances, this can be a challenging undertaking.
Of course, the obvious answer to the guardianship dilemma is for the Colorado resident to take the necessary steps to make sure that his/her care and estate are taken care of prior to the need for a guardian. However, if this is not the case, it will be necessary to work through the legal process. Experienced counsel can be invaluable throughout this process.