When someone you love can no longer safely manage their own care or finances, a court-appointed professional guardian can help protect their well-being, their property, and their dignity. We provide limited and plenary guardianship of the person and property for families throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.
About
Elena Zapatero-George is a Professional Guardian and the founder of Guardianship of Miami-Dade & Monroe, P.A. With 12 years of experience, she provides limited and plenary guardianship of the person and property for adults who are no longer able to fully manage their own personal or financial affairs.
Elena brings 30 years of experience with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Monroe County, where she retired as the Sub-District Administrator for Monroe County. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Arts, with a minor in chemical engineering, and has completed various certifications and coursework in social services and adult protective services. She speaks English and Spanish fluently.
Every person we serve is treated with patience, respect, and dignity.
Guardians answer to the court, with regular reports on the person’s care and finances.
We keep families and care teams informed as decisions are made.
Services
In Florida, a guardian is appointed by the circuit court when an adult has been found unable to manage some or all of their own affairs. The court decides which rights the guardian may exercise, and the guardian reports back to the court on a regular basis. We provide limited and plenary guardianship of the person and property.
Limited and plenary guardianship
Making decisions about a person’s personal care and well-being, as authorized by the court, such as:
Limited and plenary guardianship
Protecting and managing a person’s income and assets for their benefit, as authorized by the court, such as:
The court finds the person can still handle some matters but not others. The guardian is given only the specific rights and duties the court lists, and the person keeps every other right.
The court finds the person is unable to handle any of the rights that can be delegated, so the guardian is given all of them. Certain personal rights are never transferred to a guardian.
Please note: This is a general, plain-language overview, not legal advice. Only the court decides whether a guardianship is needed, what type of guardianship it will be, and which duties the guardian will have.
How it works
Every situation is different, but most begin the same way: with a conversation.
Call or email to talk through your loved one’s situation and what kind of help may be needed.
We talk through whether guardianship may be appropriate, and whether it may need to cover the person, the property, or both.
If guardianship is needed, a petition is filed with the court, usually through an attorney, and the court decides who will serve.
Once appointed, the guardian carries out the duties the court assigns and files the required reports.
Service area
Based in Miami, we serve clients from Broward County to the Florida Keys.
Throughout Broward, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Miramar, Pompano Beach, Davie, Plantation, and surrounding communities.
Throughout Miami-Dade, including Miami, Kendall, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Homestead, and surrounding communities.
Throughout the Florida Keys, including Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West.
Contact
Whether you are a family member, an attorney, or a care professional, we’re here to answer your questions.
