When it comes time to make the difficult decision to request a guardian, a family must petition the court. To do that, they will require the help of a lawyer who knows the proper procedures for making this request. The lawyer will gather the proper information and medical records to make the request. When the request is agreed to by all parties, it can be a straightforward process. nnHowever, that is not always the case, as certain family members might dispute the various aspects of the guardianship request. A lawyer can also help defend the family’s difficult decision from someone who is attempting to implement their own plan. The most common problems occur when:nnFamily members challenge the person appointed to be guardian.nFamily members refuse to be named a guardian.nThe protected person declines to consent to a guardianship.nAlthough the process can be complicated and difficult, having a lawyer can help make the process go as smoothly as possible.