What Is a Court Evaluator in a Brooklyn Guardianship Case?
In a Brooklyn adult guardianship case, a court evaluator is a neutral, independent investigator the court appoints to look into the facts before any decision is made about appointing a guardian. When a petition for guardianship of an allegedly incapacitated person is filed in the Supreme Court, Kings County under Article 81 of the New […]
How to Become Guardian of an Aging Parent in Brooklyn
To become guardian of an aging parent in Brooklyn, you file a guardianship petition in the Supreme Court, Kings County under New York Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81, asking the court to find that your parent is an “incapacitated person” who cannot safely manage their property or personal needs. This is the correct court […]
How Much Does an Article 81 Guardianship Cost in Brooklyn? (2026)
The honest answer is that an Article 81 guardianship in Brooklyn rarely has a single fixed price — the total cost depends on whether the case is contested, how much investigation the court orders, and how complicated the person’s finances and care needs are. Most uncontested adult guardianship petitions in Kings County involve attorney fees […]
Guardianship of a Disabled Adult Child in Brooklyn (SCPA 17-A)
If your child has an intellectual or developmental disability and is approaching or has reached the age of 18, the most direct path to continue making decisions on their behalf in Brooklyn is a SCPA Article 17-A guardianship, filed in the Kings County Surrogate’s Court. When a person turns 18, New York law presumes they […]
Article 81 Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney in Brooklyn
If you are a Brooklyn family trying to protect an aging parent or a loved one who is losing the ability to manage their own affairs, the short answer is this: a power of attorney is a private document your loved one signs while they still have capacity, and an Article 81 guardianship is a […]
How Long Does an Article 81 Guardianship Take in Kings County?
Most uncontested Article 81 guardianship cases in Kings County take roughly two to four months from the day the petition is filed in the Supreme Court to the day the judge signs the order appointing a guardian. That window can stretch to six months or more when the case is contested, when the alleged incapacitated […]
Guardianship of a Minor in Brooklyn (SCPA Article 17)
To obtain guardianship of a minor in Brooklyn, an interested adult files a petition under SCPA Article 17, most often in the Kings County Surrogate’s Court, asking the court to appoint a guardian for a child under the age of 18. A minor cannot legally hold significant property, make binding decisions about medical care or […]
Guardian of the Person vs. Property in Brooklyn: What’s the Difference?
When a Brooklyn family asks a court to appoint a guardian for a loved one who can no longer manage on their own, the court does not hand over one blanket power. Under New York law, guardianship is split into two distinct roles: a guardian of the person, who handles personal and medical needs, and […]
Contesting a Guardianship in Brooklyn: Rights of the AIP
Yes, you can contest a guardianship in Brooklyn, and if you are the alleged incapacitated person (AIP), you hold powerful rights designed to protect your autonomy. An adult guardianship in Brooklyn proceeds under Article 81 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) and is filed in the Supreme Court, Kings County — not Surrogate’s […]
The Article 81 Guardianship Process in Brooklyn (2026 Guide)
The Article 81 guardianship process in Brooklyn is a Supreme Court proceeding under New York’s Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 in which a judge decides whether an adult can no longer manage personal needs or property and, if so, appoints a guardian with powers tailored to exactly what that person needs. In Brooklyn, an […]