Guardianship Resources
pub395-guardianship.pdftexas-guide-adult-guardianship-es.pdfThe-Right-to-Make-Choices-SDM-toolkit-jan-2018.pdfMaking-My-Own-Choices-SDM-plain-lang-guide-mar-2018.pdfWhat is Guardianship?
Some people need help managing their daily affairs because of their age, a disease or an injury. If this happens, a court of law may appoint a guardian for them.
Guardian and ward are legal terms used to indicate the relationship between someone who protects another (the guardian) and the person being protected (the ward). In Texas, the process to appoint a guardian includes:
Filing an application with a court
Having a hearing before a judge
Having a judge appoint a guardian, if one is needed
Because having a guardian takes away a person’s rights, it should be the last and the best choice to protect someone. Before asking a court to appoint a guardian, other options are usually tried first, such as:
Finding someone to help the person pay bills and manage money
Finding someone to help the person make decisions, including health care decisions
Enrolling the person in available community services, including Medicaid programs
Once a guardian is appointed, it often becomes permanent. However, if things change significantly, a judge can decide a guardian no longer is needed.
Texas Health & Human Services - What is Guardianship? - Website
Lone Star Legal Aid
Lone Star Legal Aid serves 76 counties by providing free advocacy, legal representation, and community education that ensures equal access to justice.
We focus our resources on:
Maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability;
Preserving housing;
Improving outcomes for children;
Establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and
Assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers
Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) is the largest provider of pro bono legal services in Harris County and the surrounding areas. Thousands of private attorneys volunteer their time and expertise each year to provide free legal assistance on civil legal matters to eligible, low-income area residents.
To participate, applicants complete an online application to determine eligibility. The client is then offered either extended representation, a one-time phone consultation or a referral to another agency better suited to address the specific needs of the client. Pro bono attorneys are critical to this process by providing the legal assistance needed. HVL staff attorneys serve as mentors for all volunteers and can help as needed to provide guidance as to procedural steps and access to resources necessary to assist the clients.
Liberty County Clerk's Office
1923 Sam Houston St #209
Liberty, Texas 77575
(936) 336-4670