Guardianship

Caring for Those Who Cannot Care for Themselves

Has your parent been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease? Is your family considering putting a relative in a nursing home? Are you concerned that a vulnerable loved one is being taken advantage of financially?

At Armstrong & Lowe, P.C., in Tulsa, we help clients who are concerned about the welfare of people who have lost the ability to care for themselves by seeking a guardianship appointment under Oklahoma law. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss how our attorneys can help you.

Establishing Responsibility for Physical and Financial Needs

If your parent or other loved one has developed dementia or another debilitative condition, putting a guardianship in place may enable you to better protect and care for that person. There are two types of guardianship that the court may establish in conjunction with each other or separately:

• Guardianship over the person is the authority to provide for a person's medical care, living circumstances and other physical needs.
• Guardianship over the estate is the authority to manage a person's financial affairs to that person's benefit.

Once a guardianship has been established, the court will exercise some degree of oversight over the guardian. A guardian over the estate is required to make an annual financial accounting, and there may be other responsibilities. Our lawyers can help you pursue a guardianship appointment and, if you are appointed as a guardian over the person and/or over the estate, advise you on your rights and duties.

Representing Your Interests in Contested Cases

When the family members of a person who has become incapacitated cannot agree on who should serve as that person's guardian, the court has several options, including the appointment of a neutral third party. We can represent you and your point of view in contested guardianship proceedings.

Contact us to discuss your specific situation with an experienced family law attorney.