Practice Areas




Contact



Wendell L. Belknap
411 5th Street
Oregon City, OR 97045

Tel: 503-657-8946
Fax: 503-655-2775

Email Wendell
wendell@belknaplaw.com

Website:
www.belknaplaw.com

Guardianships & Conservatorships
(Children and Adults)


A Guardian is one who has been appointed by an authorized body (usually the court) to see to the management of the health and welfare of another person. A Conservator is one who has been appointed by an authorized body (usually the court) to see to the care and management of the assets and estate of another person. Often, the party seeking to be appointed is seeking appointment as both a Guardian and Conservator. Such a proceeding would be a Guardianship and Conservatorship. In the case of adults, and absent substantial disabilities or impairments on the part of the adult, these are difficult and contentious proceedings, as most adults are hesitant to voluntarily give up the right to make health and financial decisions for themselves. These are not as contentious in the case of minor children, as the single largest impediment to any case is proving the disability of the party. Minor children are, by legal definition, incompetent. The more-common issue in a guardianship and conservatorship proceeding involving minor children is a contest as to who this will be, which often amounts to a custody dispute. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a consultation to discuss a guardianship or conservatorship matter, please contact me.