Is Florida Guardianship Reform Good for Seniors and Minors?

What do Florida probate lawyers need to know about guardianship? Florida estate lawyers regularly deal with the Florida probate courts and guardianship law. Have you heard about the most recent guardianship reforms? What do you need to know and why are the Seniors protesting at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in Delray Beach among others?

What is Guardianship?

• Do you understand what guardianship in Florida is?
• Florida estate attorneys may be able to use the guardianship laws to protect incapacitated adults and minors.
• How does it all start?
• Probate attorneys Florida can file a petition for guardianship in the Florida probate court.
• What next?
• The Court may order an independent evaluation of the potential ward.
• A ward is the person whom a guardianship is placed over.
• What rights does a ward in Florida guardianship have to fight against a guardianship?
• Do they have a right to their own Florida probate lawyer?
• Check out some of the recent guardianship reforms that the Florida legislature has passed.
• Are these reforms for better or for worse?

Florida Guardianship Reform

• In the wake of numerous reports of abuse of incapacitated seniors by court-appointed professional guardians, the Florida House on Wednesday sent a bill to Rick Scotto that would exert regulatory authority over the guardianship industry.
• On that same day protesters were marching at various courthouses in Florida including the Palm Beach County Courthouse in Delray Beach.
• The reform is an answer to claims that guardians are more focused on their own pockets than the good of seniors.
• Do you agree?
• This reform would create an Office of Public Professional Guardians.
• Is that a good idea?
• What about private guardians, will people still be able to choose to go private?
• Did you know you can become a guardian with as little as 40 hours of training and a criminal background check.
• Does this reform change that?
• How could this result in more estate litigation in Florida?
• How many guardians are there in Florida?
• In 2003 there were only 108 now there are 457!

Want to learn more?

Check out this recent article in the Palm Beach Post by clicking here.

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