Guardians and Other Caregivers

The pandemic probably makes you think more about caring for your children. See Planning for a family emergency.

When parents cannot take care of their child, they need someone else to. Another person, often a family member, can help. This person can be a caregiver or a guardian.

Getting a guardian means going to court. Sometimes you do not need to go to court.

There are 2 ways a person can become a child's caregiver that do not involve going to court:

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

And there are 2 ways a person can become a child's guardian that do involve going to court:

1. Parental Appointment of a Guardian: Parents appoint someone to be guardian of their child.
2. Court Appointment of a Guardian: The Court appoints a guardian for the child.