Legal guardianship in Texas is where a person, corporation or family, receives another person, property, estate, business or finance under their care as deemed by a court of law. Much of the time, a minor child or someone who is mentally incompetent, and can not take care of themselves, will be placed under the care of another. This process can happen when someone passes away and leaves a minor
. child behind or when someone requests that they receive legal guardianship of someone who they feel is not being cared for properly. The same goes for guardianship of estates and such. Once the guardianship is appointed, the guardian is held completely responsible for the care of the person or estate warded to them. In a court proceeding, there may be several people warded guardianship over several aspects. There may be one person granted guardianship to protect the estate of a person while another person is granted the guardianship over the person who actually owns the estate. This is often done to incorporate a balance and check system so that not one single person is left with complete control over everything involved. This is also done to minimize conflicts of interest. An interim guardian may be granted guardianship on a temporary basis to fill in for a guardian that has quit or been taken off the ward after being found unfit. The guardian of the estate handles all of the property, finances and assets of a person. An emergency guardianship of a person or estate may be called upon informally by a judge when there is little time for a court hearing. The process of gaining legal guardianship is complex and must be done through a court system. This most often requires the assistance of a lawyer who is familiar with these proceedings. An application for guardianship can be requested at the local court house within a residents county. A handwritten letter appointing guardianship is not considered legal unless done through the proper channels and notarized. More Reference Links: http://law.onecle.com/texas/probate/chapterXIII.html http://www.texasbar.com/Content/NavigationMenu/ForThePublic/FreeLegalInformation/FamilyLaw/ProtectingtheIncapacitatedAGuidetoGuardianshipinTexasfromApplicationtoOath.pdf
