Guardianship and Alternatives
Secure and Ongoing Care
At our firm, we help families plan for the legal and practical steps that come with supporting a loved one with a disability. Whether you're preparing for your child to turn 18, transferring an existing guardianship to Arizona, or need representation in an ongoing guardianship matter—we’re here to help. Our goal is always to find practical, respectful solutions that protect your loved one while honoring their dignity and independence.
When a person with a disability becomes a legal adult at age 18, it can bring a mix of excitement and uncertainty. For many families, this milestone marks the moment when legal decision-making shifts entirely from parents or caregivers to the young adult. This transition can raise important questions:
- How do we keep supporting our loved one without overstepping?
- What if they need help making important choices?
- What tools are available to help protect their future?
In Arizona, families now have two main legal options to consider:
Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and Guardianship (including Limited Guardianship).
These two tools are very different—but both can play a valuable role depending on your loved one’s needs, preferences, and abilities.
Supported Decision-Making: Stay in Charge, With Support
Supported Decision-Making allows adults with disabilities to make their own choices, with help from trusted supporters. It’s a way to stay independent while still having a team to explain information, weigh options, and offer guidance.
SDM is best for individuals who can make decisions with support, but not on their own. It’s flexible, empowering, and now fully recognized under Arizona law.
Guardianship: Providing Protection When It’s Needed
Guardianship is a court process where someone is appointed to make decisions for a person who cannot do so safely on their own. It may be full or limited depending on the situation, and it gives legal authority to act on the person’s behalf.
Guardianship is a good fit when there are serious safety concerns, refusal of help, or a need for full legal decision-making power in certain areas.
Finding the Right Fit
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not be right for another.
The goal is to find the least restrictive option that still provides the support and safety your loved one needs.
We’re here to help you explore both paths.
