From A Simple Will To Guardianship, Turn To Us For Seasoned Guidance And Representation
Mitchell DeClerck, PLLC, in Enid, has a long-standing history of providing life and estate planning. We can help you make the decisions that give you control over your person and your property for the rest of your life. Careful planning means that your property will go to the ones you love.
Since 1893, our firm has provided legal guidance and representation with integrity and a determined commitment to service.
Our legal team also provides estate administration services, from assisting executors with probate duties to representing heirs and beneficiaries in estate litigation.
Providing A Broad Spectrum Of Estate Planning Services
As an established estate planning firm, our legal team has helped clients in many capacities. From the very simple to the very complex, we are ready to assist you with creating a comprehensive and tailored estate plan, which may include:
- Drafting or updating your last will and testament
- Nominating guardians for minor children
- Establishing or executing powers of attorney
- Designating a health care proxy
- Creating a health care directive (living will)
Advanced Protection Through Trusts
A trust holds assets apart from the estate on behalf of designated beneficiaries. Trust assets pass directly to the beneficiary, bypassing the probate process. Our attorneys can set up different types of trusts for various purposes such as asset protection, controlled inheritance, charitable bequests or providing for a family member with special needs. We commonly use a combination of revocable and irrevocable trusts to achieve different objectives.
The Role Of An Adult Guardian
Sometimes a person has an incident or health condition that incapacitates them and makes them unable to pay their bills and take care of their day-to-day business. When an adult is incapacitated, they need someone to look after their finances and care for them.
The court may appoint a guardian for the incapacitated person, who is called a “ward.” A guardian is not responsible for providing financial support. Rather, the role of a guardian is to protect the ward and keep that person safe from abuse and neglect and to ensure their bills get paid.
Some of the main duties of a guardian are to:
- Make sure the ward gets appropriate medical treatment
- Consult with medical professionals and social services for the ward
- Advocate for the ward’s best interests
- Provide an annual report to the court or county
- Participate in meetings in regards to the ward
- Ensure the ward is in a safe living environment that meets the needs of the ward
Our team can help you create a guardianship or advise you on your rights and obligations if you have been nominated or appointed as a guardian. Guardianships may also be granted for minor children in the event their parents are no longer living or are unable to care for them.
There are three types of guardianship in Oklahoma: (1) general guardianship which provides complete control over the ward, (2) limited guardianship which provides specified and partial control, and (3) special guardianship which provides emergency powers for a short term.
Explore Your Estate Planning Goals
A carefully crafted estate plan provides protection of family wealth, direction to your loved ones and peace of mind to you. Arrange a free initial consultation with our estate planning lawyer to answer your questions and discuss your specific needs. Call our Enid law office at 580-498-1787 or use the email contact form and we will get in touch with you.