Pennsylvania Guardianship Laws Protecting Your Family's Interests for three decades Get A Consultation

Guardianship Laws In Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

Having to seek legal guardianship can be an unfortunately necessary experience, but before you go to court, you will want to be well informed about what it takes to become a legal guardian, and when you might have to do so. 

Continue reading to learn more about when you might need to seek guardianship of an adult or a minor child and how you can ensure that your guardianship petition is as strong as possible. 

Guardianship of an Adult or Minor

There are countless reasons why you might be interested in seeking guardianship of a loved one in your life. The paths and reasons for obtaining guardianship will vary, depending on whether the person you want guardianship rights over is an adult or a minor.

If you are interested in obtaining guardianship over an adult, you will need to be able to prove to the judge that the person in question is legally incapacitated. Essentially, this means that they are not of sound mind and/or are incapable of caring for themselves or making critical decisions about their life. 

The burden of proof is high when seeking guardianship of a person over the age of 18, and for this reason, it is much more common for the person seeking guardianship rights to instead be appointed as a power of attorney.

Obtaining guardianship of a child can be done temporarily or on a standby basis, with or without the consent of the child’s parents. 

However, unless the judge has reason to believe the parents of the child are unable to provide the care the child needs, or that they are an inherent risk to the child, it is unlikely that guardianship rights will be granted without the consent of the parents. The rights of the father and mother must be kept in consideration.

How to Obtain Guardianship Rights

Whether you are seeking guardianship of a minor or an adult, you will need to petition the courts and attend a hearing in order to do so. Be prepared to prove to the judge that you have the individual’s best interests at heart and that you are prepared to care for them should you be awarded guardianship. 

Supporting medical documentation, any criminal or arrest records, and any other evidence that can show that you should be awarded guardianship can only help you in your hearing.

Contact a Pennsylvania Family Lawyer

Whether you are seeking guardianship of an adult or a minor child, you may need legal representation to achieve this goal. You can reach out to a regarded Pennsylvania family lawyer at Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C. for assistance with your case. 

You can submit the quick contact form we have included at the bottom of this page or give our office a call at (412) 231-9786 when you are ready to schedule your initial consultation.

  • “Lisa herself is a very dedicated, hard working, professional and compassionate person. She is very driven to get the results you desire, but also listens to your needs and understands the difficult nature of the business.”

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  • “I've worked with this firm on more than one occasion and have nothing but HIGH PRAISE for their professionalism, expertise and knowledge.”

    - Rebecca H.
  • “I not only recommend attorney Melissa Lewis, but I guarantee once you have used her service you will look no further. She responds in an extreme timely matter, is very knowledgeable, and an extremely trustworthy person.”

    - Maurice B.
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Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C. Is the Right Choice for Your Family Matters

Learn more about our firm and why you should entrust our experienced legal team to handle your family law matters.

  • Strong Support
    A team of senior attorneys, junior associates, paralegals and law school clerks for full legal support throughout the process.
  • Complex Cases
    Experienced with high income, self employed professionals in complex support and equitable distribution cases.
  • Diverse
    Attorney Lisa Marie Vari is trained as a mediator and collaborative family lawyer.
  • Experienced
    More than 30 years of experience practicing family law in Pennsylvania.

Request a Consultation

We can further discuss the individual details of your case when you come in for your no-obligation consultation, which can be scheduled by calling our firm at (412) 231-9786 or via the quick contact form we have included at the bottom of this page.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.