What Is a Court Evaluator in a Queens Guardianship Case?
A court evaluator is a neutral, independent professional whom the Supreme Court appoints in a Queens adult guardianship proceeding to investigate the facts and report back to the judge with an objective recommendation. When a petition for guardianship of an adult is filed under Article 81 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law (MHL), the […]
How to Become Guardian of an Aging Parent in Queens
To become guardian of an aging parent in Queens, you file a Verified Petition together with an Order to Show Cause in the Supreme Court, Queens County, asking the court to appoint you as guardian under Article 81 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law (MHL). You must show by clear and convincing evidence that […]
How Much Does an Article 81 Guardianship Cost in Queens? (2026)
The honest answer is: an Article 81 guardianship in Queens almost never has a single sticker price, but most contested or moderately complex cases run into several thousand dollars and can reach five figures once attorney fees, the court evaluator’s fee, counsel for the alleged incapacitated person, and a possible surety bond are added together. […]
Guardianship of a Disabled Adult Child in Queens (SCPA 17-A)
If your son or daughter has an intellectual or developmental disability and is approaching or has passed their 18th birthday, you obtain legal authority to keep making decisions for them through a SCPA Article 17-A guardianship, filed in the Queens County Surrogate’s Court. On the day a child turns 18, the law treats them as […]
Article 81 Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney in Queens
When a Queens family member can no longer manage their finances or personal care, the question is rarely “do something” — it is which legal tool to use. The short answer: a durable Power of Attorney (POA) is a voluntary, private document signed before a person loses capacity, while an Article 81 guardianship is a […]
How Long Does an Article 81 Guardianship Take in Queens County?
An uncontested Article 81 guardianship in Queens County typically takes roughly two to four months from filing the petition to the appointment of a guardian, while a contested case can stretch to six months or longer. Because an adult incapacity guardianship under Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 is filed in the Supreme Court, Queens […]
Guardianship of a Minor in Queens (SCPA Article 17)
Guardianship of a minor in Queens is a court proceeding in which the Queens County Surrogate’s Court appoints a responsible adult to make decisions for, and manage the affairs of, a child under the age of 18. It is governed by Article 17 of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA Art. 17), and it allows […]
Guardian of the Person vs. Property in Queens: What’s the Difference?
If you are looking into guardianship for a loved one in Queens, here is the short answer: a guardian of the person is appointed to make decisions about an individual’s personal, medical, and day-to-day living needs, while a guardian of the property is appointed to manage that person’s money, assets, bills, and financial affairs. In […]
Contesting a Guardianship in Queens: Rights of the AIP
Yes — a guardianship can be contested in Queens, and the person who is the subject of the petition (the “alleged incapacitated person,” or AIP) holds powerful legal rights to do so. When someone files an adult guardianship petition under Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81, the case is heard in the Supreme Court, Queens […]
The Article 81 Guardianship Process in Queens (2026 Guide)
The Article 81 guardianship process in Queens is a Supreme Court proceeding under New York’s Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) that lets a court appoint someone to make personal or financial decisions for an adult who can no longer manage on their own — but only after the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that […]