When an adult cannot make safe or reliable decisions about daily life, finances or medical care, and the adult does not have a valid power of attorney, families often need court authority to step in and help. At Riseling & Rhodes, P.C., we guide families through the adult guardianship process with care, clarity, and the steady support that comes from decades of experience.
Adult Guardianship
Legal guidance for Adults Who CanNot Manage Their Own Affairs
Why Families Consider Adult Guardianship
Guardianship is usually considered when it becomes clear that a loved one cannot manage important parts of their life, and informal help is no longer enough.
Families come to us because they:
See an aging parent struggling with decisions or being taken advantage of
Have an adult child with a disability who now needs legal support after turning 18
Are watching a spouse or family member decline due to illness or injury
Need clear, court-recognized authority to make financial and care decisions
Guardianship gives you the legal tools to protect someone you care about when they cannot fully protect themselves.
What is Adult Guardianship?
Once a person becomes incapacitated, traditional estate planning is generally no longer an option. In those situations, an adult guardianship may be necessary.
Adult guardianship is a court process that grants an individual(s) legal authority to act for another adult who cannot manage their own affairs. In Oklahoma, this often takes the form of:
Guardian of the Person – Has authority to make decisions about medical care, living arrangements, and personal needs.
Guardian of the Property (or Estate) – Has authority over financial matters such as income, bills, investments, and property.
The court supervises the guardianship, requiring reports and accountings to help ensure the adult’s interests remain protected.
Why Adult Guardianship Is Important
A properly established guardianship can:
Provide clear authority for a trusted family member to make decisions
Protect against financial abuse or neglect
Support safe housing, medical care, and daily needs
Ensure accountability through court oversight and reporting
Offer long-term structure when capacity is unlikely to return
Guardianship is a serious step, but for many families it is the most reliable way to care for a vulnerable loved one.
How We Help Families Through Guardianship
Our role is to make a complex process understandable and manageable. In a typical matter, we:
1.
Review Your Situation and Options
We discuss your loved one’s condition, existing documents (if any), and whether guardianship is truly necessary.
2.
Prepare and File the Guardianship Petition
We draft the petition, gather supporting information, and file it in the appropriate court.
3.
Coordinate Notices
Ensure all legal notices are properly given.
4.
Represent You at the Hearing
We attend court with you, present the case, and address the judge’s questions.
5.
Guide You After the Appointment
Once a guardian is appointed, we help you understand your authority, reporting duties, and ongoing responsibilities.
Key Services Included in Adult Guardianship Matters
Our guardianship services may include:
CONSULTATION ON WHETHER GUARDIANSHIP IS APPROPRIATE
PREPARATION AND FILING OF PETITIONS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
GUARDIAN OF THE PERSON AND GUARDIAN OF THE PROPERTY APPOINTMENTS
EMERGENCY GUARDIANSHIP, WHEN ALLOWED AND NECESSARY
GUIDANCE ON ANNUAL PLANS, REPORTS, AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
LONG-TERM SUPPORT FOR COMPLIANCE AND UPDATES
Each case is handled with discretion and respect for everyone involved.
How Adult Guardianship Fits Into a Complete Estate Plan
Guardianship often becomes necessary when no planning documents are in place or when older documents no longer meet the person’s needs. We help families understand how guardianship interacts with:
Statutory powers of attorney (if created before incapacity)
Revocable trusts that hold and manage assets
Special Needs Trusts for disabled adults, in some circumstances
Advance directives that may express healthcare preferences
When appropriate, we also help other family members update their own estate planning to reduce the likelihood that guardianship will be needed in the future.
Who Adult Guardianship Is For
This service is especially helpful for:
Adult children concerned for aging parents who are unable to make decisions
Parents of adult children with significant disabilities
Spouses caring for a partner with serious illness or injury
Relatives who have been informally “helping” and now need legal authority
Individuals asked by a court or facility to serve in a formal role
Why Choose Riseling & Rhodes, P.C.
Adult guardianships for individuals with special needs involve deeply personal and often emotional decisions. Because we understand these situations personally, we approach every case with sensitivity, dignity, and respect for both the individual and their family. Additionally, families in Oklahoma rely on our firm because we offer:
Decades of experience with adult guardianships and related planning
Calm, clear explanations
Respectful, compassionate counsel during an emotional time
Attention to detail in filings, hearings, and annual reports
Ongoing support for as long as the guardianship remains in place
Families choose Riseling & Rhodes for adult guardianships because we combine legal expertise with genuine empathy—providing steady, reliable counsel during life-changing moments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adult Guardianship
Helping You Take Care of Those Who Depend on You
When someone you love can no longer manage important parts of their life, you do not have to figure out the legal next steps on your own. We are here to help you pursue guardianship, or appropriate alternatives, with clarity and compassion.