Guardianship Attorney in Savannah

Family-Court Experience for Minor, Temporary & Adult Guardianship Matters

Guardianship questions rarely arrive in isolation. They surface in the middle of custody disputes, divorce proceedings, grandparents’ rights cases, and family health crises. Johnson Kraeuter & Sanders LLC brings over 100 years of collective legal experience in Georgia family law to guardianship petitions, so families in Savannah and Chatham County don’t have to start over with a new firm when their situation grows more complex.

We take a personalized approach because no two families arrive at guardianship the same way. Whether a grandparent is seeking stability for a grandchild, a parent is planning for a special-needs child approaching adulthood, or a family needs to act quickly during a health crisis, we match the legal tool to the actual situation.

Guardianship, Conservatorship & Custody: What Georgia Law Recognizes

Understanding which legal relationship applies to your situation is the first step. Georgia draws clear lines between these roles, and filing for the wrong one can delay protection for your family member.

Guardians vs. Conservators

In Georgia, a guardian makes personal and health-related decisions for a ward, the person under the court’s protection. A conservator handles the ward’s property, income, and financial affairs. The probate court may grant guardianship when an adult lacks capacity to make decisions about health or safety, and conservatorship when that adult can’t manage financial matters. One person can hold both roles, or the court may appoint separate individuals.

Minor Guardianship vs. Legal Custody

Permanent guardianship of a minor isn’t the same as legal custody. In Georgia, custody can only be granted by a superior or juvenile court. Guardianship of a minor goes through probate court and is the appropriate route when a child has no living parent or when parental rights have been removed. Temporary guardianship may be granted to someone who already has physical custody of the child, making it a practical option during a parent’s health crisis or extended absence.

Other Forms of Minor Guardianship

Georgia also recognizes testamentary guardians, named in a parent’s will to take over if the parent dies, and standby guardians, designated to step in during a parent’s incapacity. A juvenile court may appoint a permanent guardian even when parents are living, depending on the circumstances. For families with a special-needs child turning 18, adult guardianship or conservatorship may be necessary when that child can’t independently manage personal or financial decisions.

Credentials That Matter in Family Court

Our attorneys have served in leadership roles on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Georgia’s Family Law Section and regularly present at legal seminars attended by judges and fellow practitioners. That engagement keeps us current on how Georgia courts apply the law, including the probate court rules that govern guardianship proceedings in Chatham County.

Our firm holds an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has earned Super Lawyers recognition, reflecting the peer assessment our work has built over decades. One of our attorneys is a former felony prosecutor, bringing substantial trial experience to matters that require courtroom advocacy. When a guardianship petition becomes contested, that background matters.

When Savannah Families Need a Guardianship Attorney

We regularly review existing custody, divorce, and guardianship documents when handling grandparents’ rights and related family matters across the Coastal Empire. That context means we often already understand the family dynamics before the guardianship question formally arises.

Common situations we assist with include grandparent guardianship when a parent is absent or incapacitated, planning ahead with testamentary or standby designations, petitions for a minor whose parents’ rights have been terminated, and adult guardianship or conservatorship for a young adult with special needs who can’t yet manage independently.