Conservatorship & Guardianship
Knoxville Conservatorship & Guardianship Lawyer
Trusted Legal Guidance for Conservatorship in Knox & Anderson Counties
Certain individuals in our society may no longer have the ability to fully care for themselves due to life circumstances. Adults who have lost the partial or full ability to manage their own life, health, and financial affairs due to advanced age or disability may require someone to take on these responsibilities for them, which is a conservatorship. Minor children who have lost their parents or whose parents have been deemed unfit will need a legal guardian to act on their behalf in the role of a parent. Seeking a conservatorship for a disabled adult or the guardianship of a child in need is a legal process that must be done through the courts.
At Jodi Loden, you will find a family law attorney who has extensive experience in dealing with this matter. If you need to seek or contest a conservatorship or guardianship, Jodi can fully prepare your case and present it to the court. She is well-versed in Tennessee law regarding these issues and has represented many Tennesseans before the courts with successful results. Her goal is to help you reach a positive resolution as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Reach out to Jodi Loden’s firm to schedule a case review with Jodi as a conservatorship/guardianship attorney. Call (865) 424-7225 or contact us online.
Conservatorships in Tennessee
Adults who are incapacitated physically or mentally will often need a trusted person to manage their life affairs that they cannot. This requires a court process in which the disability must be proven to the court through medical reports after which the court will determine what authority will be given to the conservator and whom that conservator should be. The court process is necessary to give the disabled person (the ward) due process in a matter in which his/her rights will be legally removed.
A conservator may be given the authority to manage all of the ward’s medical, financial, and other life matters or may only be given limited authority for certain matters. This will depend on the level of disability the ward is experiencing. If he/she retains some ability to function and remain semi-independent, the court will limit the conservatorship to reflect this.
-
“She provided me with realistic expectations, adequate advice, and open communication.” - Tasha C.
-
“Jodi's experience, and her compassion towards her clients, caused us to never doubt our choice.” - Former Client
-
“Jodi was an answer to my family's prayers... words can't express my gratitude.” - Former Client
Guardianships in Tennessee
Guardianships are similar to conservatorships except they commonly refer to minors. Guardians who are appointed by the courts will have all of the legal rights related to the child that a parent would have. The guardian will then normally be given custody of the child and be responsible for the child’s physical, emotional, and healthcare needs from then until the child reaches his/her majority.
Separate guardians can be appointed for the care of the child and the child’s estate, should his or her parents have passed away. Guardians for the estate will manage any inheritances, trust proceeds, gifts, settlements, or other legal awards given to the child. In some cases, a guardian may be appointed to handle both matters, depending on the circumstances.
Guardians are commonly needed in the following scenarios:
- The child’s parents have passed away
- A parent or both parents have become disabled
- One or both parents have abandoned the child
- One or both parents have been deemed unfit by the court
Courts will appoint guardians after ensuring that the person seeking this role has the physical, emotional, and financial capacity to care for the child and can provide a safe home to raise the child in until he or she reaches the age of 18.
Get Skilled Legal Representation at Jodi Loden
Conservatorships and guardianships may be modified or terminated where courts are shown justifiable proof of the need. Whether you are seeking or contesting either of these legal appointments or wish to modify or terminate an existing one, you will need a knowledgeable and skilled attorney on your side. Jodi Loden has more than 16 years of experience successfully dealing with these matters in the local courts and is here to help you secure optimum results.