Contested Guardianships

Indiana Guardianship Disputes Lawyer

Curtis E. Shirley's Article on Estate Planning Under the Guardianship Code and a new article on Guardianship and Petition Order

The Indianapolis Law Office of Curtis E. Shirley represents individuals and families in guardianship contests. When an individual is no longer able to handle personal and business matters on his or her own, an interested party may petition the court to name a legal guardian to manage the affairs of the person. Such a guardian is frequently a family member—an adult child or sibling.

Increase in Litigation Related to Guardianships

American society has grown more complex. Blended families, stepfamilies, and other relationships mean that selecting a guardian for a disabled or incompetent elder is difficult. Such complexities have led to an increase in litigation related to guardianships. Mr. Shirley has handled many cases of contested guardianship. To learn more about this type of litigation, and Mr. Shirley's skill in handling it, contact our Indianapolis offices for a free initial consultation.

Causes of Guardianship Disputes

Curtis E. Shirley's clients include individuals who are fighting the appointment of a guardian. He also represents families intending to place an elder loved one under guardianship. He also represents family members challenging the conduct of a guardian of an elder loved one. A guardianship dispute is sometimes related to the conduct of a closely held business, with younger family members objecting to the way the older generation manages the company.

Mr. Shirley has found that most guardianship disputes involve either the need to protect the elder family member, or the desire to control that family member and his or her assets. An elderly person may not want to be protected. Other family members may object to having one person control the affairs of that relative. They may believe that the guardian is influencing the older family member in a detrimental way.

Knowledgeable Guardianship Attorney

Mr. Shirley draws on his years of litigation experience when handling any contested guardianship case, whatever the source of the dispute. For more information about contested guardianships, contact Curtis E. Shirley at his Indianapolis law office.