Responsibilities of a Legal Guardian

Watching someone that you love grow old can be difficult. As time goes on, the characteristics that once made this person so special can take a backseat to oncoming enfeeblement and lapses in mental capacities. It can be particularly hard when the person happens to be your parent. While it is never easy to deal with, there are some steps that you can take to make everything better for you and your loved ones. Becoming a guardian can make a big difference in your parent's life. Before you contact a Portland guardianship attorney, it can be helpful to take a moment to understand what becoming a guardian entails.

 

The Right Decisions

 

When the mind begins to go, it can be difficult to make the right decisions. Whether your loved one is dealing with dementia, Alzheimer's or another serious mental condition, it can impair judgement. When you obtain guardianship, you will be the one to make the important calls. This is the biggest thing to take into account before you make your decision. You will be in charge of the well-being of your loved one, and that means doing what is right at all times.

 

Exact Responsibilities

 

One thing to remember is that when you become a guardian you do not technically have any type of financial responsibility in regards to the person of which you are becoming a guardian. Instead, what you are in charge of is making sure that your loved one is in the right physical and mental states. This can include quality of life, as well. For example, if you know for a fact that your elderly father wanted to spend his final years in the house that he built himself, but the rest of your family insists on sending him to a nursing home, as a guardian you will be the one legally allowed to make the call on where to send your father. This can be important if you feel that you have the best interests of the individual in mind.

 

What to Consider

 

While there are many positive sides to this decision, it is important to consider everything. This will be a very emotional decision, and it will only become more difficult as time moves forward. If you are someone that cannot handle tough emotional situations, then becoming a guardian might not be the right call. Similarly, if you have a big family, it is a good idea to consult with everyone before any decisions are made to hire a Portland guardianship attorney. The last thing you want to do is create waves with family members and make an already hard time even more difficult for all involved. Speak with your family and come to a general consensus so you can keep things amicable with all involved parties.

 

Watching a loved one grow old can be difficult, but the right moves can make all of the difference in how the years play out. Contact a Portland guardianship attorney when you believe that the time has come for you to take over the role of decision-maker for your loved one. 

Source : articlesbase.com