Planning for a family emergency

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Massachusetts Law Reform Institute in collaboration with legal services partners
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All families should plan for who will care for your children in an emergency. This article can help you make a plan with special advice for immigrant families.

For an overview in video format, watch the video below by Informed Immigrant.

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What are some first steps I should take?
  • Talk as a family about your emergency plan. Include your children. Decide who will take care of the children, where to keep important documents, who to call in an emergency.
  • Gather important documents: Collect important documents like birth certificates and passports. Keep them in a safe place where your family knows where to find them. Use the Forms checklist.
  • Know your rights: Everyone in the U.S. has constitutional rights. Learn how they can protect you. Find out your rights and go to a training.
  • Get immigration help: If immigration is one of your main worries, try to get immigration advice. Get a list of free Massachusetts legal services.
What is my Child Care Plan?

Plan for who will care for your children if you cannot. Talk to your children and the caregiver you choose, so everyone knows the plan and agrees to it. Some steps you can take are:

  • Fill out a caregiver information page for each child: Include important information about your child, like school information, medical information, allergies and medications, and other details that are important to your child’s daily life. See the Child’s Vital Information Sheet.
  • Update school contacts: Contact your child’s school. Make sure they have the correct contact information for a few people you trust to pick your child up from school in case you cannot.
    • Tell the school you want to “opt-out,” or not be included, in any directory information the school puts out. This helps protect your information.
  • You may want to choose someone to care for your child if you cannot: You can choose from 2 different forms to give someone else the legal responsibility for your child. You do not have to go to court. See Forms.
  • Register your child’s birth with your foreign consulate: If either parent is not a U.S.  citizen, you may want to register your child’s birth with your consulate. If your child wants to travel or move to your home country, it could be easier if their birth is already registered with the consulate.
  • Apply for passports for your child: Most governments require that both parents give permission for their child to get a passport. If you have sole legal custody you may not need the other parent’s permission.
  • Write a travel letter: If your child needs to travel outside the U.S., they may need a notarized letter that gives them permission to travel with a trusted adult, or the other parent. You may want to contact an airline or your consulate to get exact instructions.
Who will take care of my child in an emergency?

Think about these questions when you pick a caregiver for your child:

  • Is the person at least 18 years old? Only an adult can be a caregiver.
  • Is the person responsible?
  • Is the person able and willing to care for my child?
  • Does the person have any history with the Department of Children and Families (DCF)?
  • Does the person have any criminal history?

After you pick a caregiver, you need to decide the kind of legal arrangement you will have with them. You have options.

Informal option

You can always make an informal plan with your family and friends, but this may not be the best option because it does not give the caregiver legal rights. Your plan can include talking to the people you want to care for your child or writing down what you want to happen in an emergency. An informal plan is the easiest, but your child’s school or doctor might not follow your plan and the caregiver may have to go to court to help your child.

Caregiver Affidavit Authorization

A caregiver affidavit authorization is a good option if your main concern is your child’s education and health. Many schools and doctors are already familiar with these forms.

The affidavit says who you want to be the caregiver and that your child will live with them. It gives the caregiver the right to make decisions about your child’s health care and education for up to 2 years.

You do not give up any of your rights when you sign it. And you can end the authorization at any time.

The caregiver authorization affidavit only needs the signature of one parent.

You need 2 witnesses to sign the form with you. And you must sign it in front of a notary.

The caregiver must also sign the affidavit. The caregiver will sign the form and use it whenever the child lives with him or her.

The Caregiver Affidavit Authorization form at the bottom of this page is different from the one you can get from the court. This form has space for you to add another caregiver if the one you picked is not available.

Give the original form to the caregiver and keep a copy with your important documents.

You do not have to put all your children on one form. You can fill out a form for each child. Each child needs their own form if they have different caregivers.

Caregiver Affidavit Authorizations are useful for any family. 

Temporary Agent Appointments are useful if the caregiver needs to make decisions about your child’s finances or property.

Temporary Agent Appointment

The temporary agent appointment gives a caregiver more powers than the Caregiver Affidavit Authorization. A Temporary Agent Appointment gives a caregiver the power and responsibility to make more than healthcare and education decisions for your child. A Temporary Agent can also make decisions about your child’s property and finances. The person you choose to be the Agent can have any power you do. But the Agent cannot give permission for your child to marry or be adopted.

The authorization says you give the agent the power to make decisions in your child’s life for up to 60 days after you sign the form in front of a notary. You have the right to end the authorization at any time. After 60 days, you can renew the authorization, but you must complete a new form.
If you know where the other parent is and they are able and willing to care for your child, both parents must sign the Temporary Agent Appointment. If the other parent can care for the child, you may not need to fill out this form.

You need 2 witnesses to sign the form with you.

The agent must also sign the authorization.

You can add a second person to the form, in case the person you picked to be Temporary Agent is not available.

You can use the Temporary Agent Appointment form. This form is for families who are afraid that immigration enforcement may separate them from their child. If you need an authorization for a different reason like you are having surgery and you will not be available for a few weeks, see Appoint a Temporary Agent.

Give the original form to the Agent and keep a copy with your important documents.

You do not have to put all your children on one form. You can fill out a form for each child and choose different agents for them. Each child needs their own form if they have different caregivers or parents.

Guardianship

A legal guardian has all the rights a parent has to make decisions for your child. Only a court can make someone a guardian, or end a guardianship. Someone that you choose to be a caregiver may need to become a legal guardian in the future if they need to take care of your child for a long time.

If you plan for your child to live in the U.S. permanently, with the caregiver, you may want to prepare the guardianship paperwork so it can be filed if needed.

If someone becomes the legal guardian of your child, they have the right to make decisions about your child instead of you. If you want to end the guardianship, you will have to ask a judge to end it and the guardian can object. Think carefully before you decide to make someone your child’s guardian. You will be giving up your rights as a parent. See Guardians and Other Caregivers.

What if I am a survivor of Domestic Violence?

If you are a survivor of domestic violence the person who abused you may try to take your child. You may need to collect documents that show why your abuser should not get custody. The caregiver you choose may need to go to court if the person who abused you tries to get custody of your child. Talk to your domestic violence counselor if you have one or reach out to a domestic violence program for more information and for safety planning. Find a list of domestic violence organizations on Jane Doe's website.

Forms

Important Documents Checklist

  • English (Word, PDF)
  • Arabic (Word, PDF)

     

(in Word)

(as a PDF)

In Word: Important Documents Checklist - Arabic وثائق هامة (11/28/2017)

As a PDF: Important Documents Checklist - Arabic وثائق هامة (11/28/2017)

Child Vital Information Page - fill one out for each child.
(in Word).

(as a PDF).

As a PDF: Child's Vital Information Page -Arabic   معلومات الطفل الحيوية

In Word: Child's Vital Information Page - Arabic معلومات الطفل الحيوية

Caregiver Authorization Form - only for families who are afraid immigration enforcement may separate you from your child.

(in Word).

(as a PDF).

Sample Caregiver Authorization Form with notes to explain how to fill in the form - only for families who are afraid immigration enforcement may separate you from your child.
(as a PDF).

Caregiver Authorization Form in Spanish and Arabic - only for families who are afraid immigration enforcement may separate you from your child.

(in Word).

(as a PDF).

In Word:Caregiver Authorization Affidavit with alternate caregiver Arabic (11/28/2017) الإقرار الخطي لتفويض  مقدم الرعاية

As a PDF: Caregiver Authorization Affidavit with alternate caregiver Arabic (11/28/2017) الإقرار الخطي لتفويض مقدم الرعاية

Sample Caregiver Authorization Form with notes Arabic (11/28/2017) استمارة التفويض الخاصة بمقدم الرعاية مع ملاحظات للتفسير كيف يتم استك

Temporary Agent Appointment Form - for families who are afraid immigration enforcement may separate you from your child.

(in Word).

(as a PDF).

Temporary Agent Appointment Form in Spanish and Arabic - for families who are afraid immigration enforcement may separate you from your child. (in Word).

(as a PDF), in Spanish, in Arabic

Temporary Agent Appointment with Alternate Agent Arabic (11/28/2017) تعيين وكيل مؤقت

Temporary Agent Appointment with Alternate Agent Arabic (11/28/2017) تعيين وكيل مؤقت

Sample Temporary Agent Appointment Form with notes to explain how to fill in the form. This form is only for families who are afraid immigration enforcement may separate you from your child.

(as a PDF).

Sample Temporary Agent Appointment with alternate agent Arabic (11/28/2017) مثال عن استمارة تعيين الوكيل المؤقت مع ملاحظات

Planning for a Family Emergency - The whole packet with all the forms, instructions, and a directory of legal services. (as a PDF).

Plan de Preparacion Familiar in Spanish.

Pacote de Preparação Familiar in Portuguese.

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