Guardianship

When your loved one becomes incapacitated, you may want to assist them with their finances or medical decisions, but are not legally able to. In the absence of a valid Power of Attorney or Health Care Proxy, petitioning for guardianship may be your only option.

Elderly Man Consults with Woman

A guardian of eight individuals herself, Ms. Hawthorne has extensive experience in preparing and presenting guardianship petitions, both in Supreme Court (Article 81) and in Surrogate’s Court (Article 17-A). Certified as a Guardian, Guardian ad Litem, Court Evaluator, Attorney for the Incapacitated Person, Counsel to Guardian, and Supplemental Needs Trust Trustee, Joanne Hawthorne receives judicial appointments in all boroughs of New York as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties with relation to the guardianship process. Let her extensive Elderlaw and Special Needs experience assist you in securing guardianship for those you love in need.

Guardianship

Guardian ad Litem

Court Evaluator

Attorney for the Incapacitated Person

Counsel to Guardian

Supplemental Needs Trustee

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Elderlaw & Estate Planning

Wills

Power of Attorney

Healthcare Proxy

Living Wills

Revocable Living Trusts

Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts

Supplemental Needs Trusts

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Probate & Administration of Estates

Letters Testamentary

Letters of Administration

Will contests

Heir-ship Issues

Asset marshaling and distribution

Debt payment

Formal and informal accounting procedures.

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Matrimonial Services

Matrimonial services include

Divorce

Custody

Legal separation

Child support

Pre nuptial agreements

Step parent adoptions

Qualified Domestic relations orders

Mediation

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