5 Steps Before Guardianship Mediation in Palm Beach

Let me guess:  you filed a guardianship action for your mom or dad in Palm Beach, Florida, right?  And your siblings opposed you because you want to be the Florida guardian of your mom or dad, right? Or…perhaps your stepfather filed for guardianship of your mother and you can’t stand your stepfather, so you opposed his appointment as Florida guardian in the Delray Beach guardianship case.  Well, you have probably, maybe?, been ordered to mediate the case. So, here are 5 Steps to Take or Consider Before you Mediate Your Palm BeachGuardianship Dispute. We are talking about a guardianship of an adult, like your mom or dad, and NOT a minor child.  So, if mom or dad is suffering from Dementia or Alzheimers or truly, sincerely, needs some assistance and maybe protection, and you are stepping in to be heard in the guardianship trial West Palm Beach, here are some thoughts before you mediate thatguardianship dispute Delray Beach.

1. Know the facts.  Did you read the guardianship Florida examining committee reports? Do you agree with them? What rights, if any, do they suggest be taken away from the Florida alleged incapacitated person in the guardianship trial?  Or, does the guardianship examining committee think mom or dad is competent?  What facts are you proving or disproving at the guardianship trial?  What’s that?  Your Boca Raton elder law lawyer says it’s not a trial, just a hearing? Sounds like your guardianship lawyer Florida doesn’t try cases.   If there is no issue about Alzheimers or dementia, maybe all you are “fighting” over is who will be the guardian in Palm Beach for your mom or dad. So, who do you call as your first witness at the guardianship trial?

2. Know the law.  What part of the Florida Guardianship Code helps your case?  Don’t know? Read Florida Guardianship Law Chapter 744 online for free !   Which part of theprobate code in Florida helps you? What evidence can you bring forth at the guardianship hearing in Delray Beach?  What documents do you want to introduce. Oh yes….those examining committee reports….aren’t they hearsay and doesn’t your guardianship lawyer Lake Worth have to object?

 

3. Prepare, prepare, prepare !  A Palm Beach probate mediation, retired judges will tell you, is the best chance to settle your guardianship lawsuit.  There are pro’s to going tomediation before the mental health trial or the appointment of guardian trial in Palm Beach. But be prepared. What do you want? What won’t you stand? Must you have a family member as guardian? Will a nuetral third party professional Palm Beach guardian be OK? Before saying that “it’s too expensive”, run a budget. You’d be surprised.

4.  Be prepared to sign on the dotted line.  One of the great things about mediating a probate dispute is that most mediators in Palm Beach are ready to settle, hopeful !, to settle your estate dispute.  So, arrive early and stay late. And get your terms ready and prepare your guardianship lawyer Jupiter, Florida…. to settle ! Don’t give away the farm, but don’t be unreasonable. Remember: a good settlement is one where no one is happy ! Everyone gives up something, and gets a little something: like resolution and, hopefully, lower guardianship lawyer attorney fees !

5. It’s not all about you !  You hate your dad’s 2nd wife. Or your sister hates you. So what?! Florida guardianship litigation is not supposed to be about YOU !  Read the Florida Guardianship Laws.  It’s about your dad or your mom, the Florida Guardianship Ward. What’s in your mom or dad’s best interests?  What can be done to assist the Guardianship Ward Boynton Beach? How can we, as a family and a probate court, protect your mother or father if someone files for guardianship? Keep THAT in mind before your guardianship trial Palm Beach Gardens and at the guardianship mediation in Boca Raton.