When a Loved One Can No Longer Decide, the Court Can Help.

Court-Appointed Protection When Capacity Is Lost

Stepping In, Legally, When Someone Cannot Care for Themselves.

When an adult becomes incapacitated, by illness, injury, dementia, or disability, and can no longer make or communicate responsible decisions, their family often needs legal authority to step in and protect them. That authority comes through a court proceeding.

Virginia allows a court to appoint a guardian, responsible for personal and medical decisions, and a conservator, responsible for finances and property. The process requires a petition, evidence of incapacity, notice to interested parties, and ongoing court supervision of the appointed protector.

We guide families through establishing guardianship and conservatorship, present the case the court requires, and represent interested parties in contested proceedings where there is disagreement about capacity or who should serve.

Where We Come In

• ✓ An adult loved one can no longer manage their affairs
• ✓ A parent’s dementia requires someone to step in
• ✓ You need authority over an incapacitated adult’s care
• ✓ You need authority over their finances and property
• ✓ Family members disagree about what should happen
• ✓ You want the protection handled correctly and fairly

Guardianship Petitions

Seek authority over personal and medical decisions.

Conservatorship Petitions

Seek authority over finances and property.

Capacity Evidence

Present the proof of incapacity the court requires.

Contested Proceedings

Represent parties when there is disagreement.

Least-Restrictive Options

Pursue only the authority that is truly needed.

Ongoing Compliance

Help appointed protectors meet their duties.

Listen

We start with your loss, the estate, and where things stand. We learn what you are facing.

Map the Steps

We lay out the filings, deadlines, and decisions ahead, so nothing catches you off guard.

File & Administer

We prepare court filings, inventories, and accountings, and handle the details correctly.

Stand By You

We stay with you through creditor claims, any disputes, and final distribution.

“These proceedings almost always arrive in a crisis: a parent’s dementia has advanced, or an adult child has been in an accident, and suddenly the family needs legal authority to act and does not have it. The court process can feel intrusive, because it is, the law does not hand over control of another adult’s life lightly, and it should not. My job is to guide the family through it with as little added stress as possible, present the evidence the court needs, and pursue only the level of authority that is truly required to keep the person safe.”

Planning Ahead for Incapacity in Northern Virginia

More on the documents that can prepare for incapacity, sometimes without a court proceeding at all.