"Guardianship and Conservatorship in New Mexico"
| Dates: | Las Cruces, NM - December 4, 2009 Albuquerque, NM - December 11, 2009 8:30 am to 4:15 pm |
| Cost for CLEs: | $229 Advance, $259 Day of Seminar |
| DVD | Also available on DVD for $149 + shipping |
Mail in the Registration Form or register online.
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"Guardianship and Conservatorship in New Mexico" is a seminar for attorneys, judges, paralegals and others, offering 6.2 CLEs, including 1 unit of Ethics and 1 unit of Professionalism.
1. An overview of guardianship and conservatorship laws and procedures for attorneys, judges and other legal professionals, including recent changes in the Uniform Probate Code and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, effective July 1, 2009.
2. Discuss issues and challenges, including considering alternatives to guardianship and conservatorship, drafting effective petitions and orders, and seeking the least restrictive option possible.
3. Examine the roles and duties of the various professionals in the guardianship/conservatorship process, including the petitioning attorney, guardian ad litem, court visitor and qualified health care professional.
4. Explore the roles of the guardian and conservator, including powers, rights, responsibilities and guidelines to be used when making decisions.
5. Discuss common problems encountered by guardians and conservators in the performance of their duties and examine ways to help clarify and enforce the authority granted to them by the court.
6. Discuss ethical issues specific to guardianship proceedings, including:
- Attorneys serving incompetent clients (Code of Professional Conduct).
- How to avoid malpractice in guardianship proceedings.
- An attorney’s duty to the judicial system, public, clients and other attorneys.
- Issues concerning attorney’s fees in guardianship cases.
- 9:00 Introduction and Overview of Goals and Objectives
- 9:15 Alternatives to Guardianship and Conservatorship
- 10:00 Guardianship and Conservatorship Goals and Formation
- 10:45 Break
- 11:00 Roles and duties of professionals in guardianship/conservatorship proceeding: Petitioning attorney, Guardian ad Litem, Court Visitor, Qualified Health Care Professional
- 12:00 Lunch Break
- 1:00 Types of Guardianship and Conservatorship (limited, full/plenary, temporary, treatment)
- 1:15 Powers, Rights and Responsibilities of Guardians and Conservators
- 1:45 Guidelines for Decision-making by Guardians and Conservators
- 2:00 Drafting and Enforcement of Guardianship/Conservatorship Orders
- 2:30 Break
- 2:45 Ethical issues in guardianship proceedings
- 3:45 Case Histories and Discussion
- 4:45 Evaluations
Robert Richards, Esq., is a solo practitioner who works and resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was the former general counsel for the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Office of Guardianship. Mr. Richards’ duties with that agency varied, but included at one time or another representing the agency in legal matters, contract review, supervising and assigning attorneys for guardianship proceedings, petitioning for guardianship, acting as guardian ad litem, drafting regulations for the agency and working to find better ways to serve the indigent incapacitated person in New Mexico. Mr. Richards earned his J.D. degree at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City. He has practiced law in New Mexico for over 20 years.
Sarah Steadman, Esq. has a general civil practice in Santa Fe, and is also a contract attorney for the State of New Mexico, serving as petitioning attorney and Guardian ad Litem for guardianships. Ms. Steadman earned a master's degree in clinical social work from Smith College and her law degree from UNM Law School.
Janice N. Ladnier, Executive Director of Guardian Angels Foundation, is a professional court-appointed master guardian and conservator, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and a geriatric care manager in Santa Fe. She serves as legal guardian or power of attorney for incapacitated adults in Northern New Mexico, and is also an experienced court visitor. For over 25 years Janice worked as a paralegal in several states. She has a strong background in patient rights and advocacy and was formerly an Ombudsman. Janice is a guest lecturer in the grief counseling certificate program at Southwestern College in Santa Fe and also presents seminars on incapacity and guardianship for counselors, social workers, case managers and other professionals who provide services to people who have or may need guardians.
This seminar is also available as a 2-DVD set! Total running time 5 hours, 42 minutes.
Approved for up to 4 CLE units, 3 General, 1 Ethics. (4 hours/year is the maximum self-study units allowed by MCLE.)
Includes sample pleadings and reports.
Only $149 + shipping. Order here.
Sponsored by Guardian Angels Foundation