Carrie Danielle McClain

When a person is too young to make decisions or is incapacitated and can no longer care for their own interests, guardian law allows the court to appoint someone to make legal and welfare decisions for them. A legal guardian may be appointed as a limited decision-maker or an all-purpose decision-maker. For example, children whose parents are divorcing often have limited legal guardians help decide custody issues.

Probate is the legal process used to carry out a person's will after their death; an attorney advises you on how to perform the steps in the process. In general, once you have identified and collected the dead person's belongings, including money, property, and assets, you pay the person's debts and taxes. Once all debts have been paid, you distribute their money and property according to the language of the will.