Guardians & Other Caregivers
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Caregivers or Guardianship: Choosing The Best Option For A Child
As kids grow up, parents can use extra help caring for them. This help can come from family members, friends, or even professionals. Deciding who to ask and how much help to give them is a big decision. The good news is there are many...
Guardianship of a minor: An overview
Learn how temporary and permanent guardianships of children work.
Planning for a family emergency
Learn how your family can plan for who will care for your children in an emergency, especially if you are an immigrant.
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How to end guardianship of a child
Learn how to ask the court to end a guardianship of a minor if you are the parent, child, or another interested person.
Permanent guardianship of a child
Learn how the court appoints a permanent guardian for a child and which forms a parent and guardian file.
Temporary guardianship of a child
Learn how to become a child's temporary guardian: which forms to file, what happens at the hearing, and how long guardianship lasts.
Alternatives to Guardianships: Caregivers
In this 1-hour video, legal aid lawyers explain different options available in Massachusetts for choosing and authorizing caregivers for minors and people who are incapacitated, specifically 18–23-year-olds, outside of filing a petition for...
Appoint a temporary agent - you do not need the court
You may not be able to care for your child for a short period of time because of work, sickness, or travel. To ensure someone is able to care for your child during that time, you may give someone permission to temporarily make decisions for...
Changing a guardianship of a child
Learn how to ask the court for a change to the guardianship of a child.
Court Forms: Guardianship of a child
Download forms you file in connection with guardianships over a child.
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Guardianship of Incapacitated Persons
Seeking guardianship to be able to support young adults with special needs can be stressful and overwhelming. In this 1-hour video, legal aid lawyers explain the process and requirements for becoming the guardian for an incapacitated adult...
How do I ask for a lawyer in a petition for appointment of guardian of minor case?
If you are a parent and someone has filed to create a guardianship over your child, and do not have enough money for an attorney, you have the right to have the court appoint you an attorney.
How do I ask for a lawyer in a petition for removal of guardian of minor or general petition to modify?
If you are a parent whose child is under a guardianship that you want to end, and do not have enough money for an attorney, you may be able to have the court appoint you an attorney to regain custody. To get a court-appointed attorney, you...
Naming a caregiver for my child
Learn how to give permission to someone you trust to make education and health care decisions for your child.
Replacing the guardian of a child
Learn how to ask the court to remove the current guardian and appoint a new one.
The right to a court-appointed lawyer in a guardianship case
If you are involved in a guardianship case and your income is low, you may have the right to a lawyer. Read about court-appointed lawyers for children, guardians, and parents.
When a guardian wants to resign
Learn the steps a guardian of a child must take to resign.