Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month, and the attorneys of RCG Law are committed to autism awareness and support of those with disabilities and special needs.  It is not only a professional value of ours, but it is also personal, as our managing partner has a child with special needs.  

One of the several ways that RCG Law is committed to supporting individuals with special needs is through providing guardianship and conservatorship legal services.  Generally, a guardianship proceeding will start with service of a Petition, which is filed with the Court, along with a Bill of Particulars specifying the medical condition or other alleged basis warranting the relief sought in the Petition.  The person filing the Petition (the Petitioner) will also often submit a Physician’s Statement with further information as to the specific diagnosis of the Respondent and the opinion of a treating physician on whether the guardianship should be granted.  

The Court will schedule a hearing on the Petition, and a Court Visitor will meet with the Respondent prior to the hearing and provide the Court with a report offering additional insight, including whether the Petition is supported or opposed by the Respondent. The Court will evaluate whether there are less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, and a background study on the proposed Guardian may occur.  If a guardianship is sought for an individual who is younger than age 30 at the time of the Petition, then if the Petition is granted, the guardianship will be for the limited duration of 72 months.  

Whether you are a parent seeking to establish guardianship on behalf of your special needs child who is about to turn age 18, or an individual seeking an advocate for your rights in a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding, or if you simply wish to speak with an attorney to see how we might assist you in this area of law, we would encourage you to contact RCG Law at 952-855-8872 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney at our law firm.