What Is a Court Evaluator in a Manhattan Guardianship Case?
A court evaluator is the neutral fact-finder the judge appoints in a Manhattan adult guardianship case to investigate the facts and report back to the court on whether a guardian is truly needed. In a New York adult guardianship proceeding under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law, the court evaluator is not on anyone’s […]
Article 81 Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney in Manhattan
If a Manhattan family member can no longer manage their finances or personal care, you have two very different legal tools to consider: an Article 81 guardianship under New York’s Mental Hygiene Law, or a durable power of attorney signed under New York General Obligations Law (GOL) §5-1513. The short answer is this — a […]
Guardianship of a Disabled Adult Child in Manhattan (SCPA 17-A)
If your child has an intellectual or developmental disability and is approaching (or has already reached) age 18, the legal tool you are most likely looking for in Manhattan is a guardianship under Article 17-A of the New York Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA), filed in the New York County Surrogate’s Court. On a child’s […]
How Much Does an Article 81 Guardianship Cost in Manhattan? (2026)
The honest answer is that an Article 81 guardianship in Manhattan does not have a single fixed price — the total cost depends on how contested the case is, whether a court evaluator and separate counsel for the alleged incapacitated person are appointed, whether a bond is required, and how much ongoing administration the guardianship […]
How to Become Guardian of an Aging Parent in Manhattan
To become the guardian of an aging parent in Manhattan, you must file an Article 81 guardianship petition under New York’s Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) in the Supreme Court, New York County — the court that hears guardianship matters for incapacitated adults who reside in Manhattan. You commence the case with an Order to Show […]
Guardian of the Person vs. Property in Manhattan: What’s the Difference?
In Manhattan, the difference comes down to what the guardian is authorized to manage: a guardian of the person makes decisions about an individual’s personal and medical needs — where they live, the care they receive, and day-to-day welfare — while a guardian of the property manages that person’s financial affairs, including income, bills, bank […]
Guardianship of a Minor in Manhattan (SCPA Article 17)
Guardianship of a minor in Manhattan is a legal proceeding — most often brought in the New York County Surrogate’s Court under SCPA Article 17 — in which a court appoints a responsible adult to care for a child under 18 and/or to manage money or property that belongs to that child. A minor in […]
How Long Does an Article 81 Guardianship Take in New York County?
For most families in Manhattan, an uncontested Article 81 guardianship in the Supreme Court, New York County, takes roughly three to four months from the day the petition is filed to the day the guardian is officially commissioned. A clean, well-prepared, uncontested case can sometimes move faster; a contested matter — where a family member, […]
Alternatives to Guardianship Every Manhattan Family Should Know
If your loved one in Manhattan is beginning to struggle with finances, medical decisions, or daily affairs, you do not automatically need to file for guardianship. In fact, New York courts prefer that families explore less restrictive alternatives first — durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, living trusts, special needs trusts, and supported decision-making. […]
The Article 81 Guardianship Process in Manhattan (2026 Guide)
The Article 81 guardianship process in Manhattan is a court proceeding under New York’s Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81, filed in the Supreme Court, New York County, in which a judge decides whether an adult is incapacitated and, if so, appoints a guardian to manage that person’s personal needs, property, or both. It begins […]