Guardianship Lawyer

Guardianship is also procedurally demanding, with strict rules for notice, filings, and ongoing court reporting. Our attorneys guide clients through every stage, from the initial petition to contested hearings and post-appointment modifications.

If you’re seeking guardianship, responding to a petition filed against you, or navigating a complex situation involving both guardianship and conservatorship, we’re here to help you protect your loved one’s best interests.

Related Services

Adoption | Child Custody | Child Support | Protective Orders

Our guardianship attorneys assist clients with the full range of guardianship matters. Here’s how we help.

Guardianship of a Minor

Guardians may be appointed when parents cannot care for a child due to illness, incapacity, substance abuse, or death. We help petitioners establish guardianship and understand what it does and doesn’t do.

Guardianship of an Incapacitated Adult

Adults may need guardianship when they cannot make informed decisions due to dementia, intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, or other serious conditions. We help clients petition for the appropriate level of authority and meet the ongoing reporting requirements the court requires.

Guardianship Petitions and Court Filings

The guardianship process begins with a petition filed in the Probate and Family Court. We prepare all required documentation, coordinate notice to interested parties, and represent you at the court hearing.

Contested Guardianship and Removal Proceedings

When a petition is disputed, or when a guardian faces removal, the stakes are high and the legal standards are demanding. We represent parents, guardians, and other interested parties in contested proceedings, including cases where a guardian ad litem has been appointed to investigate.

Guardianship Modifications and Terminations

Guardianship can be modified or terminated when circumstances change. Parents can petition the court to end a minor’s guardianship, and wards or interested parties can seek changes to an adult guardianship arrangement.

Conservatorship and Financial Protection

When guardianship alone isn’t enough, a conservator can be appointed to manage financial and property matters. We help clients determine when conservatorship is appropriate and guide them through the court approval process and its ongoing reporting requirements.

Extraordinary Authority Petitions

Some decisions exceed a guardian’s standard authority and require separate court approval. We help guardians navigate this process while ensuring the ward’s rights are protected.

We know that pursuing guardianship is a significant decision, often made during an already difficult time. Our guardianship attorneys guide you from your first conversation through to resolution with steady communication and focused advocacy. Here’s how our process works:

• Consultation. We start with a free phone or Zoom consultation to understand your situation, explain the legal process, and help you determine the right path forward for your family.
• Strategy and planning. Your attorney will assess your circumstances, identify potential complications, including whether conservatorship may also be needed, and prepare a clear plan for moving your case forward.
• Filing and court representation. We handle all petition preparation, coordinate notice to required parties, and represent you at every court hearing, including contested proceedings if necessary.
• Appointment and next steps. Once guardianship is established, we help you understand your ongoing duties, including annual reporting requirements, and advise on any future modifications or extraordinary authority petitions that may arise.

We bring both the compassion to understand your family’s situation and the experience to navigate the legal process effectively. Our focus is on protecting your loved one’s best interests while making the process as manageable as possible for your family.

Clients trust our family law attorneys to guide them through some of the most difficult and consequential decisions they’ll ever face. Here’s what they say about working with Turco Legal.

Manchester Office
(603) 932-5032
900 Elm Street, Suite 802
Manchester, NH 03101

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If you need support and representation, start by speaking with an experienced guardianship lawyer.

Understanding guardianship law before you begin can help you make better decisions for your family. Explore our resources to learn more about the guardianship process, the difference between guardianship and conservatorship, and what to expect from petition to appointment.

What is the difference between guardianship and conservatorship?

Guardianship authorizes a guardian to make personal and medical decisions for someone who cannot make them on their own. Conservatorship is a separate legal arrangement covering financial and property matters. In many cases, both are needed. A guardian oversees daily care and healthcare decisions while a conservator manages money and assets.

Can guardianship of a minor be ended?

Yes. Guardianship of a minor is not permanent. Parents retain the right to petition the court to modify or terminate a guardianship if their circumstances change and they are able to resume care of the child.

What is a guardian ad litem?

A guardian ad litem is an independent investigator appointed by the court to assess the facts of a guardianship case and make a recommendation in the ward’s best interests. They are commonly appointed in contested proceedings involving minors or incapacitated adults.

What are extraordinary authority petitions?

Some decisions, such as consenting to antipsychotic medications, approving a DNR order, or authorizing an involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, exceed the standard powers of a guardian and require separate court approval. Courts apply a heightened standard of review in these cases to protect the ward’s rights.

What ongoing responsibilities does a guardian have?

Guardians are required to act in the ward’s best interests at all times and file annual reports with the court documenting the ward’s condition and the guardian’s decisions. Failure to meet these requirements can result in removal proceedings.