Minor Guardianship Attorney Serving South Florida
Stepping in to care for a child who is not legally yours, whether after the loss of a parent or because a parent can no longer provide a safe home, is an act of love that comes with real legal responsibility attached. The same is true when a child receives an inheritance or a settlement large enough that a court wants someone accountable for how it is managed. Either way, you want to do right by the child, and you want to know you are meeting what the court expects of you.
Barash-Schatten Law Firm, P.A. helps South Florida families through both kinds of minor guardianship, and attorney Pamela Schatten works directly with you from your first call through the life of the guardianship.
Why the Right Attorney Makes the Difference
Florida law lets a parent manage up to $15,000 of a child’s money without court involvement, but once an inheritance or settlement exceeds that amount, a guardian of the property is typically required, and getting that step wrong can delay a child’s access to funds they need now. A guardianship of the person, needed when a parent has died or cannot safely care for a child, can also turn contested quickly if another relative disagrees about who should raise the child.
An attorney who has handled both routine and contested minor guardianships knows how to keep a straightforward case moving and how to build a strong record when it is not straightforward.
How We Help With Minor Guardianship
When a child has received a settlement or inheritance, we handle the petition to establish a guardian of the property, work with the court on how the funds should be held, and help you meet the accounting obligations that follow so the money is protected and accessible when the child needs it.
When a child needs a guardian of the person because a parent has died or is unable to care for them, we prepare the petition, represent you if another family member contests it, and help you understand what the court will expect from you as guardian going forward.
Why Clients Choose Pamela Schatten
Ms. Schatten is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, a distinction based on peer review of both legal ability and ethical standards, and clients describe her as thorough and conscientious, qualities that matter most when a child’s welfare or a child’s money is what is being decided. She works directly with the families she represents rather than routing them through junior staff, and our office typically responds to calls and emails within a couple of hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minor guardianship can cover different situations, and families may have specific questions on those situations.
Here are a few examples.
What Working With Our Firm Looks Like
We walk you through exactly what a minor guardianship will require of you, including the accounting and reporting that comes after the court grants it, so you are never caught off guard by an obligation you did not know about. You will always be talking to the person handling your case, not a rotating point of contact.
If your situation can be resolved without a full guardianship, such as structuring a smaller settlement in a way that avoids the need for court oversight, we will tell you that upfront rather than steering you toward the more complicated path.
If you are considering guardianship for a minor, whether to care for a child or to manage money a child has received, call Barash-Schatten Law Firm, P.A. at (954) 698-4644 to schedule a consultation at our Hollywood office. You can also reach us through the contact form on our website, and we will talk through your family’s specific situation before you decide on anything.
Contact the Firm
Start the conversation.
Tell us briefly what you need and how to reach you. Messages go directly to Pamela Schatten, and you will hear back within a couple of hours at most during the business day.
Office
Barash-Schatten Law
800 E Cypress Creek Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Telephone
Toll free
Areas served
Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Lauderdale by the Sea, Hollywood Beach and Pompano Beach, plus the rest of Broward and Miami-Dade County
Office location, Fort Lauderdale
Please do not include confidential details in this first message. We will arrange a private call.