Guardianships

A guardianship or conservatorship is needed when an “incapacitated person” has either failed to execute a durable Power of Attorney or Advanced Medical Directive prior to their incapacity or upon a mentally disabled child attaining the age of 18 and a legal guardian or conservator is necessary.

Before I file a guardianship case in Circuit Court, I first look for alternatives. First, a doctor’s examination may be needed to ensure the person cannot execute a Power of Attorney. If the person’s only income is a government check or a public benefit, a Representative Payee may be named to avoid the conservatorship. That could potentially save thousands of dollars over the years in insurance premiums on surety bonds.

If no alternative is available, the office of Robert W. Haley has years of experience in guardianship actions. While most are relatively straight forward, we also have experience in contested guardianships.

Robert W. Haley has been certified by the Virginia Supreme Court as an approved Guardian ad Litem in the 21st Judicial Circuit. “In that capacity, I represent the best interests of the potential ward, investigate the case and report to the Judge of the Circuit Court.”