Your Trusted Rhode Island Guardianship Lawyers

"When someone you love needs help, we make sure they’re safe - and that you have the clear legal authority to act."

Rhode Island Guardianships


When a parent, spouse, or adult child can’t manage health care, money, or daily life, you don’t want a crash course in legal theory. You want to know your loved one will be okay, and that you’ll have the power to make decisions without hitting roadblocks at hospitals, banks, or care facilities. That’s exactly what our guardianship practice delivers: calm guidance, fast action when it matters, and a clear end-to-end plan you can trust.

What you’re feeling (and what we do about it)
“I’m worried they’re not safe.”
We triage immediately. If discharge is looming, bills are going unpaid, or you suspect exploitation, we move fast to file and get a hearing as soon as the court can calendar it. You focus on your loved one. We handle the filings, forms, and phone calls.
“I need this to be simple.”
We turn a confusing process into a short checklist. We coordinate the medical paperwork, file in the right Probate Court, take care of notices and publication, and prep you for exactly what will happen at the hearing—who talks, what’s expected, how long it takes, and what you’ll leave with.
“Will I actually have the power to do what’s needed?”
Yes. Our goal is that you leave court with Letters of Guardianship that open doors—admissions, care decisions, finances—without drama. We also set up the post-hearing steps so using your authority is straightforward.

Results we aim for in every case
  • Safety and stability now. Clear decision-making for medical care, living arrangements, and finances.
  • The right person in charge. Court-recognized authority that providers respect the first time they see it.
  • Fewer surprises. We brief you on the timeline, documents, and follow-ups so nothing catches you off guard.
  • A plan you can live with. Enough authority to protect your loved one, with practical guardrails that keep family peace.

How the Rhode Island process works (in plain English)
  1. Call & triage. You tell us what’s going on. We map the fastest safe path and give you an action plan for the next 48–72 hours.
  2. Medical confirmation. We coordinate the clinician’s decision-making assessment (the form Rhode Island courts require) so the judge can see where help is needed—health care, finances, living situation, and more.
  3. File the petition. We prepare the petition, attach the medical assessment, assemble any supporting facts, and file in the correct city or town.
  4. Notices and guardian ad litem. We handle service and publication. The court appoints a guardian ad litem (GAL) to meet your loved one, talk to family and providers, and report back to the judge. We make sure the GAL gets what they need quickly.
  5. The hearing. We stand with you, present the record, and answer the court’s questions. Many uncontested matters resolve at the first hearing when the paperwork is solid.
  6. Your authority begins. We obtain certified Letters of Guardianship and help you use them—admissions, pharmacy and records releases, banking access, benefit coordination, and care team communication.
  7. After-care. We give you a simple reporting calendar (what’s due and when) and provide templates for any status updates or accountings the court requires.
Emergency situations: If someone is unsafe or a facility can’t accept them without a decision-maker, we prepare emergency filings and work to secure the earliest available court time. We’ll tell you exactly what to bring and what to expect.

What’s included when you hire us
  • Urgency triage & plan on day one
  • Clinician paperwork coordination (so doctors aren’t guessing what to fill out)
  • Petition drafting & filing in the correct Probate Court
  • Required notices, publication, and GAL coordination
  • Hearing preparation (briefing, likely questions, exhibits)
  • In-court representation (we do the talking; you won’t be left on your own)
  • Certified Letters of Guardianship and support for using them with hospitals, banks, and facilities.
  • Post-appointment setup (reporting calendar, accounting and reporting templates, etc.)

Timelines & fees (clear and predictable)
  • Typical timeline: 4–7 weeks from filing to first hearing when everyone cooperates; sooner when the court grants an expedited date in urgent cases.
  • Fee ranges: Most uncontested adult guardianships fall between $2,500–$4,500 plus court costs and bonding fees (filing fees, publication, guardian-ad-litem fee).
  • What can affect price: contested matters, multiple medical providers or evaluations, emergency filings, or expanded financial work (account consolidation, benefit applications). You’ll get a written scope before work begins.

Who we help most often
  • Aging parents with memory loss who need help with care decisions, prescriptions, bills, and safe housing.
  • Adult children with disabilities turning 18 where parents need authority recognized by schools, doctors, and benefit agencies.
  • Spouses or partners where one can’t make medical or financial decisions and the other is getting blocked by privacy laws or bank policies.
  • Hospitals and facilities that need a lawful decision-maker to authorize admission or treatment.

Why families choose our firm
  • Care first. Legal success is the means, not the end. The end is your loved one safe, supported, and stable.
  • Calm in the storm. We’ve guided hundreds of families through similar moments. You’ll feel the difference in the first call.
  • Local court experience. We know how Rhode Island Probate Courts actually work - what clerks need, how GALs like to interview parties, what judges want to see - so your case moves.
  • Follow-through. After the hearing we don’t disappear. We help you use the authority you just earned.

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Practical answers to the questions you’re asking?

Do we really have to go to court?
If your loved one can still sign a health-care proxy or power of attorney, we’ll try that first. If not, court is how you get authority that providers will recognize. We make it manageable.

What exactly will I be able to do?
That depends on what the judge authorizes, but most families get the power to make medical decisions, access records, coordinate care and housing, and manage day-to-day finances. We’ll tailor what we ask for to match what you actually need.

How hard is the medical form?
It’s straightforward when a clinician understands what the court is looking for. We communicate directly with the provider so it’s completed correctly the first time.

What if my loved one objects?
It happens. The court hears from the clinician (through the DMAT) and the GAL (through the report) and will still appoint a guardian when evidence shows decision-making is impaired, safety is at risk, and guardianship is in the best interest of the ward. While many cases resolve without a formal trial we prepare for and handle these fiercely contested hearings with compassion and focus.

What happens after I’m appointed?
You’ll receive court Letters and simple instructions for using them. We also calendar any required reports and give you templates so compliance is easy.

Your next three steps
  1. Schedule a 15-minute discovery consultation. Tell us what’s happening and what “better” looks like for your family.
  2. Document sprint. We help you gather the clinician form and assemble the petition. You’ll get a short checklist; we’ll do the heavy lifting.
  3. Show up once. We’ll be beside you at the hearing and make sure you leave with the authority—and a plan—to keep your loved one safe.
You don’t have to carry this alone. We’ll handle the legal lift so you can focus on what matters most: taking care of the person you love.

Fabisch Law, L.L.C.
401-324-9344

Rhode Island Main Office
2 Dexter St.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860

East Bay, Rhode Island Office
555 Metacom Avenue
Bristol, Rhode Island