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.
Guardianship
Guardian ad Litem
Court Evaluator
Attorney for the Incapacitated Person
Counsel to Guardian
Supplemental Needs Trustee
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.
Matrimonial Services
Matrimonial services include
Divorce
Custody
Legal separation
Child support
Pre nuptial agreements
Step parent adoptions
Qualified Domestic relations orders
Mediation