Fort Collins Guardianship & Conservatorship Attorneys

Protecting Northern Colorado families through court-supervised guardianships and conservatorships -- from petition to appointment to annual accountings. Since 1981.

Schedule a Consultation Call 970-482-9770
40+
Years Practicing
Local
Larimer County
Both
Guardianship & Conservatorship
1981
Serving NoCo Since

When You Need to Protect a Loved One

Guardianship and conservatorship are Colorado's two main tools for protecting adults who can no longer make safe decisions for themselves -- and for handling minors' significant assets. They're serious court proceedings with real fiduciary responsibilities, and getting them right matters.

Our Fort Collins guardianship attorneys have handled these cases in the Larimer County District Court since 1981. Whether you're petitioning for a parent with dementia, responding to a guardianship notice, filing an annual accounting, or contesting an appointment, we can help.

Guardianship vs. Conservatorship: What's the Difference?

Guardianship

Court authority over personal care and medical decisions.

  • * Where the protected person lives
  • * Healthcare and medical treatment
  • * Daily welfare
  • * End-of-life decisions

Governed by C.R.S. § 15-14-301 et seq.

Conservatorship

Court authority over finances and property.

  • * Bank accounts and investments
  • * Real estate and property
  • * Paying bills and taxes
  • * Contract and lawsuit authority

Governed by C.R.S. § 15-14-401 et seq.

Many families need both. One person can serve in both roles, or the court can appoint different people. See our detailed guides on legal guardianship and conservatorship.

How We Help

Filing a Petition

Preparing and filing the petition, gathering medical documentation, notifying interested parties, and representing you at the appointment hearing.

Emergency Appointments

Ex-parte petitions when a loved one is being scammed, abused, or is at immediate financial or physical risk -- often within days.

Contested Proceedings

Representing family members who oppose a proposed appointment, or defending against a challenge to your appointment.

Annual Accountings

Preparing the initial inventory, annual accountings, and final reports required by Colorado law from every conservator.

Minor Conservatorships

Setting up conservatorships for minors who've received significant settlements, inheritances, or insurance proceeds.

Modifications & Terminations

Modifying an existing appointment when circumstances change, or terminating a guardianship when it's no longer needed.

Alternatives Analysis

Sometimes a power of attorney, trust, or representative payee is a better fit. We help you decide before filing.

Guardian ad Litem Work

Court-appointed representation of minors and incapacitated persons in guardianship proceedings.

The Colorado Process (Quick Overview)

  1. 1. Petition Filed
    An interested party files a Petition for Appointment in the Larimer County District Court.
  2. 2. Notice to Interested Parties
    The proposed protected person and family receive formal notice with a right to object and be represented.
  3. 3. Court Visitor
    The court may appoint a neutral visitor to interview everyone and report back.
  4. 4. Hearing
    A judge decides whether appointment is needed and who should serve.
  5. 5. Appointment & Bond
    Letters of Guardianship/Conservatorship issue. Most conservators must post a bond.
  6. 6. Inventory & Ongoing Duties
    Initial inventory within 91 days; annual reports and accountings thereafter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an attorney to file for guardianship in Colorado?
No, but Colorado guardianship petitions are more complicated than most self-representing petitioners expect. Notice requirements, medical documentation, the court visitor process, and the appointment hearing all involve technical steps, and a mistake usually means starting a piece of it over. Most families who try to file on their own end up hiring an attorney partway through, after the delay has already cost them time they did not have.
How much does a Fort Collins guardianship attorney cost?
It depends on whether the petition is contested. An uncontested guardianship in Larimer County is a relatively contained matter in attorney fees, plus court costs. Contested guardianships, or those where the court appoints a visitor or requires additional hearings, cost meaningfully more. We give you a realistic estimate at the initial consultation rather than a number that quietly grows later.
How long does it take to get a guardianship in Colorado?
An uncontested Colorado guardianship typically takes about 6 to 12 weeks from filing to the appointment hearing. Emergency guardianships can be granted within days when there is immediate risk to someone's health or safety. Contested proceedings, where a family member objects or the respondent disputes the need, can run six months or longer.
Can I do a guardianship and conservatorship at the same time?
Yes, and it is common. A single petition can request both: guardianship covering personal and medical decisions, and conservatorship covering financial ones. The court often appoints the same person to both roles, though there are situations where it makes sense to separate them, such as when one family member is better suited to handle money and another to handle care decisions.
What if my loved one signed a power of attorney years ago?
A valid durable power of attorney signed before incapacity can often eliminate the need for a guardianship or conservatorship entirely, which is exactly what it is designed to do. Whether it works depends on how it was drafted and what powers it actually grants. Bring the document to a consultation and we will tell you honestly whether it covers your situation or whether a court process is still necessary.
What happens after I am appointed guardian or conservator?
The role does not end at the hearing. A conservator generally must file an initial inventory of the protected person's assets within 91 days, then file annual reports and accountings with the court. A guardian files annual reports on the person's condition and care. These deadlines are real, and missing them can lead to court scrutiny or removal. We help clients stay compliant year to year, not just through the initial appointment.

Related Reading

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Get Help With a Colorado Guardianship

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