When Love Means Legal Protection: Understanding Guardianship in North Carolina
Worried about a loved one who can't make decisions? Our Raleigh team knows this feeling. We've guided families through guardianship for years.
What Is Guardianship in North Carolina?
Guardianship gives you legal authority to care for someone who can't make decisions. In North Carolina, courts appoint guardians for minors or adults needing protection.
Think about your aging mom forgetting to take medicine. Or your adult child with special needs turning 18. These situations keep families up at night.
Our Raleigh clients often ask, "How do I protect someone I love?" Guardianship provides that legal safety net.
Who Needs a Guardian in North Carolina?
Guardianship fits several situations we see at our firm:
Your parent struggles with memory loss or dementia
Your special needs child turns 18 but needs ongoing support
A child loses parents and needs stable care
"My mom started leaving the stove on," one client told us. "I knew I needed to step in." We helped secure her mother's future with minimal stress.
How Do I Become a Guardian in Raleigh?
File a petition with the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. You'll need medical documentation and to attend a hearing where a judge evaluates your request.
The process involves several steps:
Submit paperwork showing the person needs protection
Provide medical evidence of incapacity
Speak with the court-appointed Guardian ad Litem.
Attend court hearing
Receive official appointment
One Raleigh family told us, "We thought it would be complicated, but your team made each step clear."
What Powers Does a Guardian Have?
As a guardian in North Carolina, you can:
Make medical decisions
Handle finances
Choose living arrangements
Manage daily care
Courts can grant limited or full guardianship based on the person's needs. We've helped families find the right balance between protection and independence.
What's the Difference Between Guardianship and Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney is voluntary and signed when someone is competent. Guardianship is court-ordered when someone can't make decisions anymore.
Many families ask us this question. Think of power of attorney as planning ahead. Guardianship comes into play when no plan exists or the situation has progressed beyond what was planned.
We've seen cases where having both protects families most completely.
How Much Does Guardianship Cost in Raleigh?
Establishing guardianship in Wake County typically costs between $1,500-$3,000, depending on:
Case complexity
Whether anyone contests the guardianship
Court filing fees
Attorney experience
Our firm offers clear pricing from day one. No surprises.
The Walls Law Group Approach to Guardianship
When you call our Raleigh office about guardianship, we start with questions about your loved one. Every situation has unique needs.
We've helped families through tough spots for years. One client shared, "You treated my dad with respect while protecting him."
Our team walks you through each form, deadline, and hearing. We explain everything in plain language—no complicated legal terms.
Ready to Protect Your Loved One?
Worried about someone who needs care? Our Raleigh guardianship lawyers can help. Call us at 919-647-9599 or visit The Walls Law Group for a consultation.
Our team makes the legal process simple so you can focus on what matters most—caring for your loved one.
