Guardians and Other Caregivers

When the parents of children are not able or available to provide care for their child, another person, often a family member, steps in to become the child's caregiver.

There are two ways for a person to become a child's caregiver that do not involve going to court:

1. Caregiver Authorization: The parent or parents give the caregiver written permission to make educational and medical decisions.
2. Temporary Agent: The parent or parents appoint the caregiver as temporary agent for up to 60 days.
   

The two ways for a person to become a child's guardian do involve going to court at some point:

1. Parental Appointment of a Guardian: The parent or parents appoint someone to be guardian of the minor child.  The parents make the appointment and the appointment takes effect without going to court. The parentally appointed guardian files a notice of acceptance of the appointment in court within 30 days of its becoming effective.  He or she also files a petition to be appointed guardian of the minor.
2. Court Appointment of a Guardian: The Court appoints a guardian for the minor child.