WHEN IT’S TIME TO STEP IN

San Diego Guardianship Lawyer

Seeking guardianship over the legal responsibilities of a child’s welfare can be complicated and stressful if you go it alone. Our experienced guardianship lawyers can guide you through the process, so it goes as smoothly and quickly as possible.

What Does It Mean To Have Legal Guardianship?

When a child’s parents are physically or mentally unable to make decisions for their child, a court may appoint a guardian. A guardianship allows someone who is not the child’s parent to step in and make decisions on the child’s behalf. For example, a guardian may make decisions regarding the child’s personal care, finances, education, and medical treatment.

Is Guardianship the Same as Adoption?

No, guardianship and adoption are not the same. They differ in several key ways:

Guardianship

Parents retain their parental rights (such as requesting reasonable contact or visitation)
The court can terminate the guardianship
Guardians are supervised by the court

Adoption

The birth parents’ rights are permanently terminated
The adoptive parents are considered the child’s legal parents for all purposes
An adopted child inherits from their adoptive parents (just like a birth child would)
Adoptive families are not supervised by the court

Understanding the Terminology

Here are some of the common terms regarding guardianship:

Guardian

Guardianship of the Estate

Guardianship of the Person

Minor

Practice Areas

Schedule a Consultation

When you need a San Diego estate planning attorney to help you put everything in order, Brierton, Jones & Jones, LLP is here for you.

(619) 485-5394

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Meet the Team

What Sets Us Apart

Marked by Integrity

Over 30 years of practice in San Diego County and a reputation for professional excellence.

Driven By Excellence

Award-winning attorneys who resolve even the most complicated issues and cases.

Unmatched Expertise

One of the few San Diego firms that focuses exclusively on trust and estate matters.

Creative Problem Solving

A team that thinks outside the box to find the best solution to your problem.

Time-Tested

Our clients and their families return to us generation after generation.

Community Oriented

Our attorneys are actively involved in the local community and have been for over 30 years.

Our Clients Say It Best

Read Them All

BJ&J was a blessing to our family in a very critical time. A close family member was injured in an assault and incapacitated, which left our family scrambling for help at a very crucial time to save his business from going under. We appointed Courtney Bravo to represent us and guide us for an emergency conservatorship. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and sensitive to our needs and timing. She explained the entire process thoroughly and was available for any questions we had along the way. Courtney was always present for our Zoom court hearings. I would definitely recommend BJ&J and Courtney Bravo for your estate/trust and conservatorship needs.

I had the pleasure of working with Hilary Vrem during a family probate case. It was a difficult time for me as I was dealing with a loss in the family and needed assistance tackling the legal process. She provided me with a clear understanding of what to expect and guided me through my best options and next steps. She went above and beyond throughout our correspondence. I would happily recommend BJJ, their attorneys, and Hilary to friends and family who are dealing with a similar situation.

BJ&J was a blessing to our family in a very critical time. A close family member was injured in an assault and incapacitated which left our family scrambling for help in a very crucial time to save his business from going under. We appointed Courtney Bravo to represent us and guide us for an emergency conservatorship. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and sensitive to our needs and timing. She explained the entire process thoroughly and was available for any questions we had along the way. Courtney was always present for our zoom court hearings. I would definitely recommend BJ&J and Courtney Bravo for your estate/trust and conservatorship needs.

Courtney Bravo handled every step in the process of a rather complicated estate with complete competence during the covid pandemic lockdowns that caused rarely-seen delays in the courts. I wasn't living in California at the time, which made me rely even more on Courtney's appearances in court; she handled every detail with professionalism while working with me halfway across the country via emails and phone calls. I would not hesitate to get legal representation from Courtney again and recommend her to my family & friends.

BJ&J was a blessing to our family in a very critical time. A close family member was injured in an assault and incapacitated, which left our family scrambling for help at a very crucial time to save his business from going under. We appointed Courtney Bravo to represent us and guide us for an emergency conservatorship. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and sensitive to our needs and timing. She explained the entire process thoroughly and was available for any questions we had along the way. Courtney was always present for our Zoom court hearings. I would definitely recommend BJ&J and Courtney Bravo for your estate/trust and conservatorship needs.

I had the pleasure of working with Hilary Vrem during a family probate case. It was a difficult time for me as I was dealing with a loss in the family and needed assistance tackling the legal process. She provided me with a clear understanding of what to expect and guided me through my best options and next steps. She went above and beyond throughout our correspondence. I would happily recommend BJJ, their attorneys, and Hilary to friends and family who are dealing with a similar situation.

BJ&J was a blessing to our family in a very critical time. A close family member was injured in an assault and incapacitated which left our family scrambling for help in a very crucial time to save his business from going under. We appointed Courtney Bravo to represent us and guide us for an emergency conservatorship. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and sensitive to our needs and timing. She explained the entire process thoroughly and was available for any questions we had along the way. Courtney was always present for our zoom court hearings. I would definitely recommend BJ&J and Courtney Bravo for your estate/trust and conservatorship needs.

Courtney Bravo handled every step in the process of a rather complicated estate with complete competence during the covid pandemic lockdowns that caused rarely-seen delays in the courts. I wasn't living in California at the time, which made me rely even more on Courtney's appearances in court; she handled every detail with professionalism while working with me halfway across the country via emails and phone calls. I would not hesitate to get legal representation from Courtney again and recommend her to my family & friends.

BJ&J was a blessing to our family in a very critical time. A close family member was injured in an assault and incapacitated, which left our family scrambling for help at a very crucial time to save his business from going under. We appointed Courtney Bravo to represent us and guide us for an emergency conservatorship. She was very knowledgeable, friendly, and sensitive to our needs and timing. She explained the entire process thoroughly and was available for any questions we had along the way. Courtney was always present for our Zoom court hearings. I would definitely recommend BJ&J and Courtney Bravo for your estate/trust and conservatorship needs.

Let Us Represent You

If you’re seeking to be appointed as a child’s guardian or need help managing their estate, our San Diego guardianship lawyers can help and answer all your questions. Contact us today.

(619) 696-7066