Guardianship Lawyer In Lewisville, Texas
Krupa Downs Law provides dedicated guardianship legal services for families in Lewisville, Texas and throughout Denton County, guiding individuals through every stage of the process with clarity and compassion. Attorney Christine Krupa brings 15 years of focused estate planning and guardianship experience — no general practice work, just the focused representation families need when the stakes are highest.
Serving Lewisville, Denton County, and the surrounding communities | Krupa Downs Law, PLLC — Plano, Texas
loading ...
Compassionate Guardianship Representation
Guardianship decisions rarely arrive at a convenient moment. A parent’s cognitive decline accelerates. A child with special needs approaches their 18th birthday. A family member suffers a sudden accident and can no longer manage their own affairs. Whatever brings a Lewisville family to this point, the legal process ahead requires both precision and sensitivity.
Chris approaches every guardianship matter as a person-centered process. She listens not only to what clients say, but to what they leave unspoken — the fears, the family dynamics, the hopes for their loved one’s future. That kind of listening shapes better legal strategy.
Texas guardianship law is detailed and procedurally specific. Filing in the wrong court, missing a required notice, or misunderstanding the difference between guardianship of the person versus guardianship of the estate can cost families months of delay. Chris handles these details so families can focus on what matters: their loved one.
Ready to talk through your situation? Contact Krupa Downs Law to request a consultation.
15+ Years
Serving Collin County
5 Star
Client Rating
Super Lawyers®
2020-2026
Texas Rising Stars®
2016-2020
Why Families Choose Krupa Downs Law?
Focused Practice, Not a General Law Shop
Krupa Downs Law concentrates exclusively on estate planning, probate, and guardianship. Families in Lewisville aren’t handed off to a junior associate or a generalist — they work directly with Chris, every single visit.
Plain English, Every Step of the Way
Texas guardianship proceedings involve formal court filings, physician certificates, and statutory notice requirements. Chris explains each step in plain, direct language so clients understand what is happening and why — not just what to sign.
Independently Recognized for Excellence
Chris has been named to Super Lawyers and is listed on Avvo, two independent recognition platforms that reflect peer and client evaluation. Those recognitions aren’t self-reported — they are earned.
What You Can Expect From Our Services
- A thorough review of your loved one's situation and the appropriate legal remedy
- Guidance on guardianship of the person, guardianship of the estate, or both
- Court filing preparation and representation throughout the Denton County proceedings
- Support for special needs guardianship in Lewisville for families of adults with disabilities
- Clear communication at every milestone — no silence, no surprises
Estate Planning for Special Needs Families
Guardianship and estate planning are rarely separate conversations for families raising a child with a disability. When that child turns 18 in Texas, parental authority does not automatically continue — a formal legal guardianship must be established through the courts. Many Lewisville families discover this only months before the deadline, which creates unnecessary urgency.
Planning ahead changes the outcome. A supplemental needs trust protects assets without disqualifying a loved one from Medicaid or SSI benefits. Coordinating that trust with a guardianship order ensures the legal structure holds together over time. Chris works with families to build these connected plans — guardianship, trusts, and disability planning — as a coherent whole, not a checklist of separate documents.
Lewisville’s growing population of young families, many connected to Lewisville ISD and the broader Denton County community, increasingly face these questions as their children age into adulthood. Getting ahead of that transition is the most valuable thing a family can do.
Advocacy for Special Needs Families
Families of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities face a system that was not designed with them in mind. Texas courts require specific medical documentation, attorney ad litem appointments, and compliance with notice statutes before a guardianship order issues. Chris guides families through each requirement — and advocates clearly on their behalf before the court when needed.
Community Engagement & Leadership
Chris provides pro bono legal services to individuals and families who could not otherwise access legal counsel. That commitment reflects a belief that quality legal representation should not be reserved for those who can pay full freight. Serving the Lewisville and greater Denton County community is part of the practice’s identity, not an afterthought.
Get Legal Support
Families in Lewisville dealing with a guardianship question — whether for an aging parent, an adult child with a disability, or an incapacitated relative — deserve direct answers from an experienced attorney. Contact Krupa Downs Law to request a consultation and learn what steps apply to your specific situation. Chris will listen, explain the process clearly, and help the family move forward with confidence.
Serving Celina Families at Every Stage
Lewisville sits at the heart of a rapidly growing corridor along I-35E in Denton County, with established neighborhoods stretching from the older mid-century homes near the lake to newer subdivisions along the city’s outer perimeter. Families here span every stage of life — young parents planning ahead for children with special needs, adult children managing an aging parent’s declining capacity, and retirees looking to ensure their affairs are in order.
Krupa Downs Law serves clients throughout this community from its Plano office, accessible to Lewisville families via I-35E. Nearby communities including Flower Mound and Coppell also fall within the firm’s regular service geography. Whether a family is just beginning to ask questions about guardianship or is already facing an urgent court deadline, the conversation with Chris starts in the same place: listening.
What the Guardianship Process Looks Like in Texas
The guardianship process typically involves the following six key areas, each of which our firm is prepared to guide you through from start to finish.
1. Initial Consultation & Case Assessment
We meet to discuss your loved one’s situation, review your options, and determine whether guardianship is the right path or whether a less restrictive alternative — like a power of attorney or supported decision-making agreement — might work better. You leave the first meeting with clarity on the road ahead.
2. Medical & Personal Documentation
We help you gather what the court requires, including the Certificate of Medical Examination from a licensed physician (dated within 120 days of filing) that establishes the need for guardianship. Chris walks you through exactly what’s needed and coordinates the paperwork.
3. Filing the Application with the Court
Chris drafts and files the guardianship application with the appropriate Texas probate court, describing your loved one’s specific needs and your qualifications to serve as guardian. We handle the court fees, the exhibits, and the procedural detail so nothing falls through.
4. Attorney Ad Litem & Family Notice
The court appoints an attorney to represent your loved one’s interests, and formal notice goes to family members entitled to receive it. This is a required safeguard that protects everyone involved and keeps the case on track.
5. Court Hearing
At the hearing, the judge reviews the medical evidence, hears from the court-appointed attorney, and considers testimony from you and other family members. If guardianship is warranted, the judge signs the order granting your authority.
6. Letters of Guardianship & Ongoing Duties
You take an oath before the court and receive Letters of Guardianship — the official document proving your legal authority. Chris explains your ongoing obligations, including the initial inventory and annual court reports, so you know exactly what to expect after the process is complete.
What the Guardianship Process Looks Like in Texas?
Texas guardianship is a court-supervised process. Understanding the sequence helps families prepare — and reduces the anxiety of not knowing what comes next.
Step 1 — Determine Whether Guardianship Is Necessary
Guardianship is not always the right tool. In some situations, a financial power of attorney or medical power of attorney accomplishes the same protective goal with far less court involvement. Chris evaluates each family's situation before recommending the more intensive guardianship route.
Step 2 — File the Application in the Correct Court
In Denton County, guardianship applications are filed in the appropriate county court. The application identifies the proposed ward, the proposed guardian, and the basis for the guardianship request. Errors in this filing create delays — sometimes significant ones.
Step 3 — Obtain the Required Medical Documentation
Texas law requires a physician's certificate of medical examination completed within a specific timeframe before the hearing. This document establishes the proposed ward's incapacity and must meet precise statutory requirements. Missing or incomplete certificates are one of the most common causes of hearing postponements.
Step 4 — Court Appointment of an Attorney Ad Litem
The court appoints an attorney ad litem to represent the interests of the proposed ward independently. This attorney interviews the proposed ward and files a report with the court. Families sometimes find this step surprising — understanding its purpose (protecting the proposed ward's rights) helps frame it correctly.
Step 5 — Attend the Guardianship Hearing
The judge reviews the application, the medical documentation, and the attorney ad litem's report. If the court finds sufficient evidence of incapacity and determines that guardianship is in the proposed ward's best interest, the order of appointment issues. Chris prepares families thoroughly for what to expect in the courtroom.
Step 6 — Ongoing Reporting Requirements
Texas guardianship does not end at the hearing. Guardians must file annual reports with the court — an accounting of the ward's estate if guardianship of the estate was granted, and a status report on the ward's wellbeing if guardianship of the person was granted. Failing to file these reports can result in the guardian being removed. Chris helps clients understand these ongoing obligations before they accept the appointment.
FAQ
A guardianship lawyer guides families through the Texas court process required to establish legal authority over a person who cannot manage their own affairs. This includes preparing and filing the application, obtaining proper medical documentation, representing the family at the hearing, and advising on ongoing court reporting obligations after the order is granted.
No. In Texas, parental authority ends at 18 regardless of a child’s disability status. Without a court-issued guardianship order, parents have no legal authority to make medical or financial decisions for their adult child. Families in Lewisville are encouraged to begin the guardianship process several months before their child’s 18th birthday to avoid gaps in legal authority.
No. In Texas, parental authority ends at 18 regardless of a child’s disability status. Without a court-issued guardianship order, parents have no legal authority to make medical or financial decisions for their adult child. Families in Lewisville are encouraged to begin the guardianship process several months before their child’s 18th birthday to avoid gaps in legal authority.
Guardianship is sometimes avoidable. For individuals who still have decision-making capacity, a properly drafted power of attorney can accomplish many of the same goals with significantly less court involvement and cost. Chris evaluates each situation individually before recommending the appropriate legal path.
Timelines vary depending on court scheduling and the completeness of the medical documentation. Families should generally expect the process to take several months from filing to the hearing date. Starting early — before a crisis makes speed essential — gives families the most flexibility.
Yes. Families throughout Lewisville, including those in neighborhoods near Lewisville Lake, along I-35E, and in communities adjacent to Flower Mound and Coppell, are welcome to schedule a consultation. The firm serves clients across Denton County and the broader North Texas area.
Contact Us For More Info
Areas we Serve
- Plano TX
- Frisco TX
- Allen TX
- Dallas TX
- Denton TX
- McKinney TX
- Carrollton TX
- Melissa TX
- Prosper TX
- Richardson TX
- Wylie TX
- Sachse TX
