Manning Fulton attorney Holly Birnbaum Martin has been appointed Public Guardian for Durham County, as of December 6th, 2024. The appointment was made by the Clerk of Superior Court for Durham County, Aminah M. Thompson.
As Public Guardian, Holly will be responsible for protecting the rights and interests of individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs due to incapacity. This includes individuals with mental or physical disabilities, as well as seniors who may be experiencing cognitive decline. She will hold this appointment for a term of eight years.
Holly is a seasoned attorney specializing in adult guardianship proceedings. She has a strong background in handling complex family situations, including those involving mental illness, dementia, and age-related decline and regularly assists parents of adult children with disabilities in establishing guardianship. Her legal career includes prior experience as an Assistant Public Defender in Orange County, working with individuals facing mental health and substance abuse challenges. She also worked as an attorney for Gaston County Department of Social Services where she handled child support enforcement, child abuse and neglect cases, and adult abuse and neglect cases, including adult guardianship proceedings. She is committed to providing compassionate and effective guardianship services to the residents of Durham County.
About the Public Guardian
The Public Guardian is a court-appointed guardian who acts in the best interests of individuals who are unable to make their own decisions. The Public Guardian is responsible for making decisions about the individual’s finances, healthcare, and other important matters. To learn more visit https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/clerk-of-superior-court/special-proceedings/guardianship-faq
