In the past, this blog has identified many of the traditional elements of a guardianship matter, and has outlined many of the alternatives available under certain circumstances. Often, neither the traditional approach or the alternatives are a good fit. The situation might demand that action be taken quickly, particularly if the Proposed Ward and/or her property are at immediate risk.
Temporary guardianships and their procedural elements are frequently misunderstood, by clients and courts alike. In many cases, they are sought for the wrong reasons, or without adequate information, and they can sometimes do more harm than good. Today, temporary guardianships work very much like permanent guardianships. Their cornerstone differences are (a) a fast-tracked process, and (b) a temporary fix to what might be a permanent issue.
Under prior legislation, a temporary guardianship could be granted without notice to the Proposed Ward. I am consistently astonished by the continuing perception that this kind of procedure is still available in Texas. It is not. Many clients, attorneys and even judges apply the outdated procedure when they seek or grant an ex parte temporary guardianship, or one created before the Proposed Ward is ever even notified.
Today, the Probate Code is clear on the notice provisions of every temporary guardianship. When an application is filed, an attorney is appointed to represent the Proposed Ward. The Clerk issues specific notices and provides a copy of the application to every concerned party, including the appointed attorney. The Court sets a hearing date, generally within 10 days. If these steps are not followed, the Court cannot create a temporary guardianship. If it does, buckle up for the bumpy ride.
Temporary guardianships can be a wonderful tool when used appropriately. In a time when a hearing on a permanent guardianship might take weeks to coordinate, temporary guardianships get the ball rolling much faster. In true emergency situations, they can safeguard the Proposed Ward from imminent harm and even temporarily lock down the Proposed Ward’s estate if it is at risk. Used correctly, temporary guardianships can be true lifesavers. Sought for the wrong reasons, or created under repealed and rewritten laws, temporary guardianships can cause more trouble than they fix.