Our Attorneys Assist with Every Step of the Process

Importance of a making a Will

It is extremely important to name a guardian (and a successor) in your Will to care for your children. If you have not named a guardian, the court appoints the guardian for your children–and may make a very different decision than you would have. You know your children and their needs and circumstances best, so making a Will, which includes a designation of a guardian for your children, is important. It is also important to review and update your Will from time to time as circumstances change. The needs of your children may change as they grow older, and it is also possible that the initial guardian you designated may die, become incapacitated or  divorced.

Guardianships and conservatorships for children

Our attorneys recommend that you thoroughly discuss your decision with your chosen guardian (and all successors) to make sure the guardian is willing and prepared to accept the full responsibility of caring for your children as you wish. We can assist the person you choose when applying for and serving as a court-appointed guardian. If it is necessary to establish a conservatorship to assist with your minor child’s assets, we can help establish the conservatorship and advise the conservator in administering the child’s assets.

Caring for a disabled or incapacitated adult

Our lawyers can help you arrange for the care of a disabled or incapacitated adult and assist in managing their assets. We can guide you through the process to have you, or another concerned and qualified person, appointed as the legal guardian for a loved one who is no longer competent to make his or her own decisions. We can also guide you in having yourself or another qualified person or professional conservator appointed to manage your loved one’s financial needs.

Contact our thorough estate planning and probate lawyers

Dearing Batten & Bauer LLC serves clients throughout Missouri. Call us at 314-863-2700 or contact us online.