Guardianship Protecting What Matters Most

Guardianship Attorney in Las Vegas

Personalized Guardianship Guidance Backed by 8,000+ Family Law Cases

Since 2010, our family law practice has helped Las Vegas and Henderson families address difficult decisions involving the care of a loved one. With decades of combined experience and more than 8,000 family law cases handled, we provide personalized guidance before filing and a trial-ready approach when a guardianship matter requires courtroom representation.

Becoming a legal guardian involves accepting responsibility for another person’s care, property, or both. Our team at Smith Legal Group can help you understand the authority being requested, the evidence that may be required, and the responsibilities that can follow an appointment. Free consultations, remote case evaluations, after-hour appointments, and Spanish-speaking staff are available.

Call our firm at (702) 919-5956 or use our online contact form for a free consultation if you’re looking to become a legal guardian in Las Vegas.

Guardianship Laws in Nevada

Guardianship gives a court-appointed guardian authority over specified decisions for a protected person, meaning the adult or child who is the subject of the case. Because an appointment can affect that person’s decision-making rights, the court considers whether guardianship is necessary and how much authority the circumstances require.

Guardianship over the Person
Guardianship over the person concerns personal care decisions. Depending on the order, this authority may cover medical care, education, living arrangements, and other needs affecting the protected person’s well-being.

Guardianship over the Estate
Guardianship over the estate concerns money, property, and financial affairs. A guardian of the estate generally remains subject to court oversight and may need court approval before spending protected-person funds or selling protected-person property.

Guardianship over the Person & Estate
The court may grant authority over both the person and the estate when personal and financial decisions require management. Nevada law also distinguishes between general guardianship and narrower forms of authority based on what the protected person can and can’t manage independently.

Not every temporary caregiving arrangement requires a court-appointed guardianship. In circumstances permitted by Nevada law, a parent may use a signed and notarized agreement to establish temporary guardianship of a minor for up to six months. Longer-term or disputed arrangements generally require court review.

"From the very beginning, they went above and beyond to help us through my son's guardianship case. Their professionalism, dedication, and excellent customer service truly made a difference during a very important time for my family." — Ivonne A.

The Best Choice
“My case, like all divorces, was difficult and emotional. Luckily Kurt is a straight shooter. It is because he advocated me to be reasonable in a difficult situation that, by the end of everything, I was able to get basically everything I wanted.”

- Former Client
Experience, Dedication, Humanity
“From the very first consultation, I felt I was in good hands, and throughout the entire process, I was reassured that I had made the best decision. What I value most is his honesty and the way he explains every step.”

- Emily C.
Clients Come First
“I have nothing but good things to say about my experience here. Excellent service from start to finish. They handled my case with professionalism and compassion, and I always felt like my family’s best interests came first.”

- Brittanee Y.

Who May Need a Legal Guardian?

A Nevada court will determine whether the proposed protected person has the capacity to make some or all necessary decisions based on the circumstances presented.

Adult Protected Persons

Relevant circumstances can include:

Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
Developmental disabilities
Traumatic injuries
Limited mobility
Substance use disorders
Physical abuse
Another condition affecting the person’s ability to manage personal or financial decisions safely

Nevada distinguishes between general guardianship for an adult who can’t manage the necessary areas of care and special guardianship for an adult who retains the ability to make some decisions. The requested authority may involve personal care, medical decisions, finances, property, or a combination of these matters.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we assisted individuals and families seeking guardianships for aging parents, grandparents, and family members with special needs. We approached each matter according to the adult protected person’s needs.

Initiating an adult guardianship in Clark County may require medical information and a physician’s certificate. The required evidence depends on the proposed protected person’s condition, the authority requested, and whether any part of the petition is disputed.

Protected Minor Children

Minor guardianship places the child’s best interests at the forefront of the requested arrangement. It may grant authority over the child’s person, estate, or both, depending on the relief requested and the court’s findings.

Child guardianships are commonly considered when:

A child’s parents have died
A child’s parents have become incapacitated
A child’s parents have deployed
A child’s parents have relocated temporarily
A child’s parents have been incarcerated
A child’s parents can’t provide adequate care because of abuse, neglect, or another serious circumstance

Evidence may include reports from child protective services, police reports, personal testimony, child interviews, or court-ordered reports. What is necessary varies with the child’s circumstances and the issues before the court.

We have assisted individuals and families in establishing child guardianships, handling each case individually with the child’s best interests in view.

Alternatives & Continuing Guardianship Duties

Guardianship isn’t always the only available option. Depending on the person’s capacity and circumstances, less restrictive alternatives may include supported decision-making, a durable power of attorney, a health-care power of attorney, or a permitted temporary arrangement. These options don’t fit every situation, so the available authority and legal effect should be evaluated carefully.

A court-appointed guardianship also creates responsibilities after the initial hearing. The Clark County Guardianship Compliance Division monitors required submissions, which may include inventories, annual reports, and annual accountings depending on the type of guardianship ordered.

Adult guardianship generally continues until the protected person regains the ability to manage the relevant decisions or dies. Minor guardianship generally continues until the child reaches adulthood, although legal exceptions and earlier termination may apply. We provide strategic family law guidance based on the requested authority, the protected person’s needs, and the facts of the case.

Starting a Guardianship Case in Clark County

A Nevada guardianship case is generally filed in the county where the proposed protected person resides, provided Nevada has been that person’s home state for the six months before filing, subject to legal exceptions. For Las Vegas families, the case generally proceeds in the Eighth Judicial District Court.

Our attorneys can guide you through each step, from identifying the appropriate type of guardianship and preparing the required petition materials to addressing evidence concerning your ability and means to provide care and control when those issues apply.

The filing process may include:

Adult guardianship documents: A family court cover sheet, confidential information sheet, petition, citation to appear and show cause, and physician’s certificate.
Minor guardianship documents: Child-specific petitions, confidential information forms, and the applicable citations.
Notice: Service or notice to interested relatives and other parties as required by Nevada law.
Court review: A hearing at which the judge considers the requested authority, supporting evidence, qualifications of the proposed guardian, and any objections.

The court may deny a petition when the proposed guardian doesn’t meet statutory requirements or the filing and notice rules haven’t been followed. Temporary or emergency circumstances can require a different filing strategy, but no particular appointment or timeline is assured.

We offer free consultations and remote case evaluations for adult and minor guardianship concerns. After-hour appointments and Spanish-speaking staff are also available for families who need a more accessible way to discuss their next legal step.

Schedule your initial consultation with an attorney from our firm by calling (702) 919-5956 today.

Trial-Ready When It Matters Most

While we work toward practical resolutions whenever possible, we are fully prepared to fight in court when your children, finances, or future is on the line.
Trusted in High-Stakes Cases

With thousands of family law matters handled across Nevada, we combine local court knowledge, strategic urgency, and personalized guidance to help you.
Built Around Real Client Support

From free consultations and flexible payment plans to after-hours appointments, we prioritize accessibility, responsiveness, and making you feel heard during difficult transitions.
Family Law Is All We Do

We handle only family law matters, giving you the advantage of a team deeply experienced in divorce, custody, support, adoption, and other complex family disputes.