Guardianships:
If you have a loved one, who needs a guardian because of his or her physical and/or mental health, you can file a petition to start the legal process, at the County Attorney's office. The County Attorney's office has all the appropriate forms and an employee will be happy to help you fill out the petition correctly.
To complete the process, however there must be an evaluation of the respondent (the person alleged in your petition to be in need of guardianship) by a three person evaluation team appointed by the Court: 1.) Respondent's usual physician, if none, your doctor. 2.) A clinical psychologist, currently Rod Thayer, C.R.C.C.C., Post Office Box 568, Corbin, Kentucky 40701. 3.) A social worker, Ms. Tammy Rogers, Protection & Permanency, Post Office Box 1420, Barbourville, KY 40965. You should make appointments with these people as soon as you filed the petition in order to assure sufficient time to meet the deadline date for the evaluation. The names and telephone numbers are listed at the bottom of this paper for your convenience.
There will be a jury trial in the Bell District Court in approximately six (6) weeks from the date of the filing of your petition. You will receive notice of same in the mail. An attorney will be appointed by the Court to represent the respondent, unless he or she or someone on his or her behalf wishes to hire an attorney.
If the respondent is found by the jury to be in need of a guardian and/or conservator and you are appointed, the Court must set a bond. The bond is usually set with the requirement of a surety. If the court requires corporate surety, you will need to arrange for a bonded company, such as an insurance company, to provide you with this service. If you are allowed to have a private surety, someone who owns real estate valued to twice the amount of the bond may sign the bond as your surety.
Please do not fail to arrange for an evaluation or the trial cannot be held. Again, you need to make arrangements for the appointments as soon as you have filed your petition.
Dr. Rod Thayer, Clinical Psychologist, P.O. Box 568, Corbin, KY 40701. (606) 528-7010. Call the office to make an appointment with Dr. Thayer for a court-ordered evaluation.
Ms. Tammy Rogers, Social Worker, Protection & Permanency, P.O. Box 1420, Barbourville, KY 40906. (606) 546-5154. Ms. Rogers will visit the respondent at the home.
For more information about obtaining a guardianship for a loved one, call the county attorney's office at (606) 337-2519 & ask for Connie. |
