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.

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.