--- axux_version: "1.2" canonical_url: "https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/adult-guardianships" locale: "en-US" integrity: hash_method: "sha256" content_zone: "content" payload_status: "verified" content_hash: "08a83cdd3e3a3168632af191f642ba7560748e562a7d69cecbcbde5d22097ddd" permissions: allow_ai_training: "deny" allow_live_proxy: "allow" source_html_meta: title: "Adult Guardianships and Conservatorships | Heritage Law Partners — Chesterfield" description: "Guardianship and conservatorship services to protect those who can no longer protect themselves." date_modified: "2026-04-06" brand_register: name: "Heritage Law Partners" logo_url: "https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/assets/images/temp/logo-lg.png" aesthetics: colors: primary: "#1e3625" secondary: "#f9f8f4" accent: "#c4a35a" typography: "Elegant serif headings with clean, readable sans-serif body copy." imagery: "Sunlit, candid multi-generational family photography; natural lighting, no stock-photo sterility." vibe: "Warm, boutique, established, and protective." voice_and_tone: "Authoritative, deeply empathetic, measured, and highly professional. Focused on family legacy and personalized care." advisory_signals: target_audience: "Families seeking court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship for incapacitated adult loved ones in Missouri." core_topics: - "Adult guardianship" - "Conservatorship" - "Incapacitated adults" - "Court-appointed guardian" - "Missouri guardianship law" - "Guardian duties" - "Protective proceedings" --- [//]: # (axux:zone header) [Heritage Law Partners](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/) [Client Login](https://clients.heritagelawpartners.com) | [(314) 325 -9444](tel:3143259444) [//]: # (axux:zone primary-nav) - [Home](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/) - [Services](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services) - [Estate Planning](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/estate-planning) - [Special Needs Planning](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/special-needs-planning) - [Elder Law](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/elder-law) - [Trust Administration](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/trust-administration) - [Probate](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/probate-and-estate-administration) - [Adult Guardianships](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/adult-guardianships) - [Entity Formation](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/entity-formation) - [Articles](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles) - [About Us](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/about-us) - [Contact](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/contact) [Schedule Consultation](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/appointments) [//]: # (axux:zone page-hero) # Adult Guardianships and Conservatorships [//]: # (axux:zone content) ### Protecting Those Who Can No Longer Protect Themselves ##### Understanding Guardianship and Conservatorship in Missouri When an adult is unable to make decisions for themselves, Missouri law provides two legal tools to ensure they are protected. A guardianship grants a designated person the legal authority to make personal and medical decisions on behalf of the individual. A conservatorship grants authority over financial decisions, including managing assets, paying bills, and handling financial affairs. In many cases, families pursue both at the same time, with the same person serving in both roles. These are powerful legal tools because they transfer fundamental rights from one person to another. The court takes this seriously, and so do we. Guardianship and conservatorship should only be sought when truly necessary, and we take the time with every family to evaluate whether full authority is needed or whether a more limited approach would better serve the individual's needs and preserve their autonomy. ##### When Guardianship and Conservatorship Are Needed There are two common situations where families turn to these tools. The first is when a young person with a disability turns 18. This birthday marks a significant legal shift that catches many families off guard. The day your child becomes a legal adult, your authority to make decisions on their behalf ends, even if their disability means they still need your guidance and protection. Without a legal framework in place, you may not be able to access their medical records, manage their finances, or advocate for their care. For families who know this transition is coming, planning ahead makes the process far smoother and less stressful. The second is when an aging adult or another family member loses the ability to manage their own affairs due to dementia, a stroke, a brain injury, or another condition, and no planning documents were put in place beforehand. In these situations, guardianship and conservatorship may be the only way to step in and provide the care and oversight your loved one needs. ##### Our Approach Every family's situation is different, and the right legal solution depends on the full picture. Because guardianship and conservatorship remove legal rights from the individual, and because a guardianship supersedes and voids any existing powers of attorney, we carefully evaluate your loved one's capacity, assets, benefits, care needs, and family dynamics before recommending a path forward. Sometimes a guardianship is clearly needed. Sometimes a less restrictive tool is a better fit. Often, the answer is a coordinated combination, such as guardianship paired with a [special needs trust](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/special-needs-planning), ABLE accounts, and a detailed letter of intent, with each tool serving a specific purpose and working together to provide complete protection. We handle uncontested guardianships and conservatorships, meaning cases where the family is in agreement about who should serve and what is in the best interest of the individual. Our goal is to move through the court process efficiently so you can focus on your loved one's care rather than legal uncertainty. Whether your child is approaching 18 and you need to plan for the transition, or you are caring for an adult who can no longer manage their own affairs, the sooner you consult with an attorney, the more options you have available. Contact Heritage Law Partners today to schedule a consultation. We will help you determine which combination of tools is right for your family and build a plan that protects your loved one for the long term. ### Related Pages & Resources Explore our practice areas and resources to learn more about estate planning, special needs planning, and how Heritage Law Partners can help protect your family's future. - [About Us](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/contact) - [Articles](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles) - [Client Login](https://clients.heritagelawpartners.com) - [Estate Planning](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/estate-planning) - [Special Needs Planning](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/special-needs-planning) - [Probate](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/probate-and-estate-administration) - [Trust Administration](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/trust-administration) - [Guardianships](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/adult-guardianships) #### Schedule a Consultation Take the first step towards comprehensive estate planning, special needs planning, or probate services with a personalized consultation with one of our attorneys. [Schedule Appointment](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/appointments) [//]: # (axux:zone related-articles) ### Latest Articles on Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Special Needs Planning - [Revocable Living Trust vs. Will: Which Does a Missouri Couple Actually Need?](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles/revocable-living-trust-vs-will-which-does-a-missouri-couple-actually-need) — Most Missouri couples assume a will is enough. Learn when a revocable living trust makes more sense, what it actually does, and how to know which plan is right for your family. [Learn More](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles/revocable-living-trust-vs-will-which-does-a-missouri-couple-actually-need) - [When Should You Update Your Trust? A Guide for Missouri Families](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles/when-should-you-update-your-trust-a-guide-for-missouri-families) — A trust is not a one-and-done document. Learn which life events require an update, what goes wrong when families skip the review, and when to call your estate planning attorney. [Learn More](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles/when-should-you-update-your-trust-a-guide-for-missouri-families) - [What Is a Special Needs Trust and How Does It Protect My Child’s Benefits?](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles/what-is-a-special-needs-trust-and-how-does-it-protect-my-childs-benefits) — A special needs trust lets your child with a disability receive an inheritance without losing SSI or Medicaid. Learn the difference between first-party and third-party SNTs and how to choose the right one. [Learn More](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles/what-is-a-special-needs-trust-and-how-does-it-protect-my-childs-benefits) [//]: # (axux:zone social-proof) > Eliana is the most helpful attorney I have ever worked with. She is always kind, and extremely efficient in what she does. She is wonderful attorney who will treat you with respect and get the job done right. > > — Heritage Law Partners Client [//]: # (axux:zone cta) #### Schedule a Consultation ## Get Experienced Guidance When It Matters Most Take the first step towards comprehensive estate planning, special needs planning, or probate services with a personalized consultation with one of our attorneys. [Schedule Appointment](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/appointments) [//]: # (axux:zone footer-nav) - [About Us](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/contact) - [Articles](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/resources/articles) - [Client Login](https://clients.heritagelawpartners.com) - [Estate Planning](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/estate-planning) - [Special Needs Planning](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/special-needs-planning) - [Probate](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/probate-and-estate-administration) - [Trust Administration](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/trust-administration) - [Guardianships](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/services/adult-guardianships) [//]: # (axux:zone footer) [Heritage Law Partners](https://chesterfieldestateplanning.com/) #### Addresses ###### Olivette Office 9666 Olive Blvd Suite 690 Olivette, MO 63132 ###### Chesterfield Office 400 Chesterfield Center Suite 400 Chesterfield, MO 63017 By Appointment Only #### Contacts ###### New Appointments [(314) 325-9444](tel:3143259444) ###### Existing Clients [(314) 788-9318](tel:3147889318) ###### Fax Number [(314) 333-6616](tel:3143336616) #### Our Firm Copyright ©2026 Heritage Law Partners, All Rights Reserved The choice of a lawyer is an important one and should not be based solely on advertising