Howard v. Howard
Howard v. Howard , --- So.3d --- (Fla. 4th DCA 2016) While most practitioners are familiar with the rules and procedures surrounding the guardianship process, many are less familiar with the procedural requirements for the appointment of a guardian advocate on behalf of someone with a developmental disability. This decision deals with two such procedural requirements: (1) what constitutes a finding of "good cause" to proceed with the guardianship proceeding without the potential ward present and (2) the requirements for a written order appointing guardian advocates. Good Cause to Proceed Without Potential Ward : Here, the potential ward did not attend the hearing on her family's petition for the appointment of guardian advocates. The ward's attorney did not waive his client's presence, but did state on the record that he had communicated with her and she did not want to attend. The ward's father testified about the ward's physical and men...