Do You Care For A Parent With Alzheimer’s?
Do you have a parent, spouse or loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, and can no longer make decisions for themselves? Adult children who are caring for a parent who can no longer manage their own affairs often face significant stress and barriers to legally handling their loved one’s affairs. With an adult guardianship, families can care for a loved one who is mentally incapable of making responsible decisions for their own care.
This disease could impact your family. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases, According to the Alzheimer’s Association:
5.8 million Americans age 65 and older were with Alzheimer's dementia in 2020
80% are age 75 or older
1 in 10 people age 65 and older (10%) has Alzheimer's dementia
Adult Guardianship Law In Georgia
Georgia courts can grant guardianship for an adult who no longer can make responsible decisions concerning their own health or safety. A legal guardian can make decisions regarding the health, safety, finances and overall wellbeing of the incapacitated adult.
“A guardianship is a probate court appointment of guardian to make decisions for an adult who has lost sufficient capacity to make or communicate significant responsible decisions concerning an individual’s health or safety.”
How To Get Adult Guardianship In Georgia
Guardianship is a legal process that gives you the legal right to make decisions for a parent or loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia through a court proceeding and granted by a judge.
Some adults suffering from Alzheimer’s recognize their illness and welcome steps to protect them in the future. If your parent agrees to be placed under guardianship, an attorney can help you create legal documents that give you the authority to make decisions on your parent’s behalf.
If your parent does not recognize their illness and disability and does not want to be under a guardianship,
The family member who is seeking guardianship (the petitioner) must provide evidence to the court that the adult is suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia or another incapacity.
The petitioner must provide evidence that they have the ability to care for and make appropriate decisions in the best interest of their parent.
What Is Elder Law?
Elder law attorneys advocate for aging adults and their families. Elder law attorneys handle legal issues that affect older people, their caretakers, and their families, including adult guardianships and advanced healthcare directives.
Georgia Adult Guardianship Attorney
Protecting the dignity and rights of your parent is important. Just as important is recognizing when a parent can no longer make responsible decisions for themself, and taking actions to protect them. A probate and estate planning attorney with experience in elder law can help you protect your parent:
protect them from elder abuse and fraud
preserve their assets if they need long-term care
secure their finances and pay their bills
manage their estate
make healthcare decisions
apply for Medicaid or veteran’s benefits
Do You Have Questions About Adult Guardianship?
Contact attorney Jammie Taire at SmithTaire Legal: Your Trusted Legal Partner in Georgia at (678) 253-8133 or jtaire@tairelaw.com.