Hello ,

Guardianship is designed to protect vulnerable adults, but without the right planning, it can turn into a real-life horror story for families. In North Carolina, only a judge can declare someone incompetent — and if safeguards aren’t in place, the process can quickly spiral into a nightmare.

Here are the four Guardianship Nightmares we see most often:

🧛 Lack of medical evidence — Without strong proof, petitions may vanish into thin air.

🕸️ No powers of attorney (POA) — Skip this step, and you’re trapped in the guardianship maze.

🦇 Family disputes — Court battles can pit siblings against each other in frightening ways.

🎃 Third-party guardians — Instead of family, strangers or DSS may end up making decisions.

✅ The Treat (not the trick): Proper estate planning, including powers of attorney, can keep these nightmares from ever coming to life.

Thank you for reading our e-newsletter dedicated to protecting your assets and planning for long-term care. We look forward to assisting you with strategic legal solutions that ensure your peace of mind.

Greg McIntyre

Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney 

P.S. Sharing is caring! Forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit from understanding the power of Revocable Living Trusts.