Guardianship: Another Permanency Option

A guardianship is legal status established by the Court that allows one person to step in and make decisions on behalf of another. A guardianship can be established for an incapacitated adult or a minor child. Guardianships are another tool used to provide children with permanent, stable family when their natural parents are unable, unfit, or unwilling to provide the necessary care.

A guardianship differs in one key way from an adoption in that the natural parents do not lose their parental rights. This means that if the reasons the parent was unable to care for the child no longer exist, the parent could, upon approval by the Court, resume the care and custody of the child. Otherwise the guardianship lasts until the child turns 18.

Guardianships are often given to grandparents and other family members who are willing to step in to fill the void left by the natural parents. This allows the needs of the child to be met, and fosters involvement by the natural parents where appropriate.