Eagle County Guardianship Legal Services
When an aging parent or other loved one can no longer make important decisions about their care or personal needs, you may need to consider guardianship. The situation can become more difficult when family members disagree, you live outside Colorado or your loved one has significant assets or property.
Chayet & Danzo, LLC, helps families with guardianship matters in Eagle County and throughout Colorado. We help with the court process and the medical care and family issues that can arise when a loved one needs a guardian.
Initiating Adult Guardianship In Eagle County
If your loved one can no longer make or share important decisions on their own, guardianship may allow another person to make certain decisions for them. For an adult living in Eagle County, you can file the case in the 5th Judicial District. The general process includes:
- File the petition: The person who wants to become the guardian files a petition and required documents with the court.
- Receive hearing information: Once you submit the petition, the court provides a case number and hearing information.
- Meet with the court visitor: The court appoints a court visitor to meet with your loved one and report to the court about the proposed guardianship.
- Provide required notice: The court requires you to notify your loved one and other people who must receive notice about the case.
- Attend the hearing: The court reviews the petition and information in the case before deciding whether to appoint a guardian.
If you live outside Colorado, you may need to plan for your participation in the case and confirm with the court whether you can take part remotely.
Navigating The Practical Challenges Of Guardianship
The court process is only one part of a guardianship matter. You may also need to address concerns about your loved one’s care and your family’s needs:
- Long-distance caregiving: If you live outside Colorado, you may need to coordinate care and work with local providers from another state.
- Medical decision-making: Guardianship may involve authority to make medical decisions when your loved one can no longer make those decisions on their own.
- Family dynamics and significant assets: Family disagreements can be harder to resolve when your loved one has substantial assets, mountain homes or resort properties. Relatives may have different views about care, finances and who should make decisions.
- Emergency or contested guardianship: An urgent situation or disagreement about whether guardianship should proceed or who should serve as guardian may require additional legal steps.
These issues can affect the court’s ruling and the choices your family makes afterward.
Deep Experience In Colorado Guardianship Law
Attorney Marco D. Chayet is an experienced Colorado guardianship lawyer who also handles conservatorship, elder law and probate litigation matters. He served as commissioner for the Colorado Office of Public Guardianship and brings that experience to families facing difficult decisions about a loved one’s care.
Our elder law attorneys in Eagle County assist families in Edwards and Vail, as well as nearby communities such as Avon, Beaver Creek and Gypsum. Our familiarity with the area and its mountain resort communities gives us a local perspective when families are coordinating care, property and family responsibilities in Eagle County.
Get Guidance For Your Family’s Guardianship Matter
If your loved one needs a guardian, Chayet & Danzo, LLC, can represent you through the guardianship process and help address the legal, medical and family issues involved.
Call our firm at 303-872-5980 or send us an email to discuss your family’s guardianship needs.