What Is a Court Evaluator in a Long Island Guardianship Case?
A court evaluator is the neutral, independent investigator that a Long Island court appoints in an adult guardianship proceeding to gather the facts, interview everyone involved, and recommend to the judge whether a guardian is truly necessary — and if so, exactly what powers that guardian should have. In an Article 81 case brought in […]
How to Become Guardian of an Aging Parent in Long Island
To become the legal guardian of an aging parent in Long Island, you file a guardianship proceeding under New York Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 in the Supreme Court of the county where your parent lives — for most of Long Island that means Nassau County Supreme Court (or Suffolk County Supreme Court). You […]
How Much Does an Article 81 Guardianship Cost in Long Island? (2026)
There is no single sticker price for an Article 81 guardianship on Long Island — the total cost depends on whether the case is uncontested or contested, how many cost drivers the court adds, and how complex the incapacitated person’s affairs are. As a realistic planning range, families should expect the combined attorney fees, court […]
Guardianship of a Disabled Adult Child in Long Island (SCPA 17-A)
If your developmentally or intellectually disabled child is approaching their 18th birthday on Long Island, the legal tool you are most likely looking for is a guardianship under SCPA Article 17-A, filed in the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court. When a child turns 18, the law treats them as a legal adult — even if their […]
Article 81 Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney in Long Island
If a Long Island family is deciding between an Article 81 guardianship and a power of attorney (POA), the short answer is this: a power of attorney is a voluntary, advance-planning document that a person signs while they still have capacity, whereas an Article 81 guardianship is a court proceeding used when someone has already […]
How Long Does an Article 81 Guardianship Take in Nassau County?
Most uncontested Article 81 guardianship proceedings in Nassau County are resolved in roughly two to four months from the day the petition is filed in the Supreme Court, Nassau County, to the day the appointed guardian receives their commission and is qualified to act. A straightforward, unopposed case where the alleged incapacitated person (AIP) is […]
Guardianship of a Minor in Long Island (SCPA Article 17)
Guardianship of a minor in Long Island is a legal proceeding, governed primarily by Article 17 of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA Art. 17), in which a court appoints a responsible adult to make personal and financial decisions for a child under the age of 18 when the child’s parents cannot. In Nassau County, […]
Guardian of the Person vs. Property in Long Island: What’s the Difference?
The short answer: a guardian of the person is appointed to make decisions about an individual’s personal and medical needs — where they live, their health care, their daily care — while a guardian of the property is appointed to manage that individual’s finances, income, bills, and assets. In New York, a court can appoint […]
Contesting a Guardianship in Long Island: Rights of the AIP
Yes — you can contest a guardianship in Long Island, and the law gives the alleged incapacitated person (AIP) powerful tools to do exactly that. When a petition for an adult guardianship is filed under Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 in the Supreme Court of Nassau County, the person who is the subject of […]
The Article 81 Guardianship Process in Long Island (2026 Guide)
On Long Island, the Article 81 guardianship process is the legal procedure for asking a court to appoint a guardian for an adult who can no longer safely manage their personal needs or financial affairs because of incapacity. It is governed by New York Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81, and — this is the […]