Crofton Guardianship Lawyer

Dedicated Guardianship Attorney in Crofton, MD

When a loved one cannot make safe or informed decisions on their own, pursuing guardianship may be the most compassionate and effective way to protect their well-being. While this situation often involves emotional issues and complex guardianship laws, a Crofton guardianship lawyer can provide the clear legal guidance you need.

At Liberty Legacy Law Group, we help families make sure aging parents, adult children with special needs, and minor children requiring guardianship have the support they need. We have a flat-fee payment system and seek to provide transparent, accessible legal services to families throughout Crofton, especially middle-class or blue-collar families who may feel excluded or priced out of legal guidance.

Kaitlyn Tauber and Melissa Paddy are two highly skilled attorneys who handle matters pertaining to elder law and estate planning, such as guardianship. In 2026, both attorneys were recognized as Elite Lawyers for estate planning. However, awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.

Understanding When a Guardianship Is Needed

Guardianship involves a court-appointed guardian stepping in to make decisions for someone who cannot manage their own affairs due to age, disability, illness, or incapacity. Between the 2017 and 2022 fiscal years, there were 4,860 public guardianship cases heard in Maryland.

Guardianship can be used to support individuals of all ages. Children without the legal authority to make certain decisions on their own, adults who are incapacitated or disabled, or aging adults with declining physical and cognitive health may all benefit from guardianship. In Crofton, 12% of the population is over 64, which puts them at a higher risk for many forms of incapacitation. Some examples of situations where you may need to seek guardianship include when:

• An elderly parent develops dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In America, 4 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia, which leaves many individuals unable to stay on top of or remember how to manage their financial and personal affairs.
• An adult has a developmental or intellectual disability. Many adults benefit from ongoing legal support if they have not developed essential skills when it comes to managing their affairs independently.
• A loved one becomes incapacitated. Without powers of attorney or advance healthcare directives, guardianship may be the easiest way to make sure a loved one’s estate is managed while they are incapacitated.
• A minor child needs a legal guardian. If a child’s parents pass away or are unable to provide care, the court can appoint a guardian to step in to provide day-to-day care and support.

How We Help Petition & Navigate Guardianship Hearings

The guardianship process involves multiple stages, both before the hearings begin and throughout the trial. At Liberty Legacy Law Group, we explain each step in plain language so that you understand what to expect at every stage of the case. A Crofton guardianship attorney from our firm can help you navigate the legal process by:

• Evaluating whether guardianship is the right legal solution, or if there are other alternatives
• Preparing and filing guardianship petitions with the circuit court
• Gathering evidence such as medical records, caretaker reports, or witness statements to support your petition
• Representing you during guardianship hearings
• Explaining the duties and responsibilities of a guardian

In Maryland, guardianship hearings take place in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court at 8 Church Circle, Annapolis.

Find Support as a Family With Minor or Adult Dependents

Every family has a unique situation, including variations in the needs of the dependent, who can be a guardian, and what responsibilities a guardian should have. Every case deserves to be individually evaluated, whether you need help establishing a legal guardian for a child or an elderly adult who only needs some minimal financial oversight but no personal guardianship.

Regardless of your family’s circumstances, it is important to hire a guardianship lawyer who can make sure that the dependent’s interests are supported by a guardianship.

FAQs

What Disqualifies Someone From Being a Guardian?

In Maryland, a court generally disqualifies individuals under 18 or those who lack the physical and mental capacity to make informed decisions from being a guardian. Other factors may make the court less likely to approve you as a guardian, though these cases largely depend on the specific facts of a case. Courts may consider any criminal history, conflicts of interest, or prior financial issues to determine if you are capable of being a guardian.

Do Guardians of Adults Get Paid?

Yes, guardians of adults can be paid. For real estate, ground rents, and mortgages, a guardian may be paid 6% of all income. For other income, they can be paid 6.5% on the first $10,000 per year, 5% on the next $10,000, 4% on the next $10,000, and 3% on any additional income. These rates can be increased or decreased if a petition is filed claiming that there are extenuating circumstances that warrant a different payment plan.

What Are the Laws Around Guardianship?

Several Maryland guardianship laws govern guardianship cases. Key guardianship laws and legal ideas to be aware of include the following:

• It must be proven that the individual is unable to manage their own affairs without a guardian.
• A guardian is required to act in the interests of the individual.
• The guardian must only be granted enough authority to meet the person’s needs.

A Crofton guardianship attorney can explain the specific laws that apply to your case.

What Is the Downside of Guardianship?

Unfortunately, one downside of guardianship is that it inherently limits certain rights of the person under guardianship. Because of this, Maryland courts evaluate cases carefully to determine whether guardianship is truly necessary and whether there are less restrictive alternatives. However, limiting certain rights in guardianship cases is often necessary to protect the well-being and financial security of the individual.

Hire a Guardianship Lawyer to Get Your Loved Ones Help

If you are considering petitioning for guardianship for a parent, child, or other loved one, you do not have to navigate this process alone. A Crofton guardianship lawyer from Liberty Legacy Law Group can help you create a comprehensive petition that protects the interests of the dependent while still allowing them their rights and freedoms. Contact us today to learn more about how compassionate legal guidance at a fair price can protect your loved one.