Guardianship is a court proceeding in which a probate judge gives someone who is not the parent: custody of a child, the power to manage the child’s property, or both. The process of receiving appointment for guardianship can be long and arduous, and there is ample room for mistakes. A guardianship attorney can help.
To have to the court appoint you as a guardian, you must fill out and file forms with your local probate clerk. Afterwards a court investigator will interview you and the child. If the child’s parents are alive and available, the investigator may interview them as well. The investigator will make a recommendation to the judge. If there are no objections to your appointment and review of the case finds that your appointment is in the child’s best interests, you will likely receive appointment as its guardian.
You can seek a guardianship on your own. However, it takes time and energy to fill out your court forms correctly. It also takes time and energy to “give appropriate notice” to all relatives. Most people make mistakes. The forms and rules for notice are complicated. If you don’t follow them carefully your case will not proceed in a timely manner.
Get Help With an Orange County Guardianship Attorney
Sometimes a guardianship attorney can help present your case to the court, especially if one or both parents object to the guardianship. We handle all guardianship matters from the simple uncontested to complex highly contested international matters. If you’d like more information fill out the free case review below or contact us at (714) 503-0089.
