Legal guardianship is a status that allows a person, such as a grandparent, to care for a minor child and make decisions on her behalf. The laws governing guardianships vary between states, but in most jurisdictions, you need a file a petition with the court to obtain legal guardianship of your minor grandchild. Although it is possible to obtain legal guardianship without an attorney, in many cases, it is advisable for grandparents to retain counsel.
Planned Guardianships
Some parents choose to name a guardian for their children in the event that they pass away or become permanently disabled. If your grandchild's parents named you in writing as a guardian and they died or became incapacitated, you may be able to obtain legal guardianship without hiring an attorney. Even so, if the court questions your ability to care for your grandchild because of your age, heath or financial circumstances, hiring an attorney is still advisable.
Dependency Cases
In cases where parents have abused, neglected or abandoned their child, the court may appoint a temporary or permanent guardian. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, courts prefer to place minor children under the guardianship of a relative, such as a grandparent. In dependency cases, the court may impose a stricter standard on the guardian than in other types of guardianship arrangements. For example, the court may require prospective grandparent guardians to pass a home study and meet with a social worker. Given the complexity of dependency proceedings, grandparents involved in such cases may find it helpful to hire an attorney.
Voluntary Guardianships
If a parents believe that they are not able to care for their child, they may set up a voluntary guardianship arrangement with their own parents. These arrangements can be either permanent or temporary. Typically, both parents must approve of these voluntary guardianship arrangements. If both parents consent in writing to give you guardianship of your grandchild, it may be possible to complete the legal process without an attorney. If one parent does not agree to give you guardianship, however, FindLaw suggests hiring a lawyer.
Contested Guardianships
In all types of guardianship situations, extended family members such as aunts, uncles, other grandparents or estranged biological parents may step in and challenge your request to care for your grandchild. In such cases, it is usually necessary to hire an attorney. If you are involved in a contested guardianship case but cannot afford to hire an attorney, grandparents' rights groups or nonprofit legal aid organizations may be able to help you for little or no cost.
Read More: Can a Legal Guardianship Expire?
References
Writer Bio
Anna Green has been published in the "Journal of Counselor Education and Supervision" and has been featured regularly in "Counseling News and Notes," Keys Weekly newspapers, "Travel Host Magazine" and "Travel South." After earning degrees in political science and English, she attended law school, then earned her master's of science in mental health counseling. She is the founder of a nonprofit mental health group and personal coaching service.