Families that have not done proper Estate Planning often end up in Guardianship Court.  Without proper documents, when a loved one is no longer able to care for himself or herself, someone else must use the court system to become his or her legal Guardian in order to make medical and financial decisions for that incapacitated person.  The Guardianship process itself is public, time-consuming, and expensive, even if matters are uncontested.  However, if the court becomes a stage for a "family feud," both the emotional and financial costs can skyrocket.