guardianship-and-conservatorship-minorsA guardian of a minor stands in the place of the minor’s parents and has the powers and responsibilities of the parents concerning the minor’s support, care, education, health and welfare.

A guardianship of a minor is different than an adoption of a child. Guardianships of a minor pertains to a legal relationship between a minor and a guardian that gives the guardian certain rights and obligations regarding the minor. A guardianship does not sever the legal relationship that exists between a minor and his or her biological parents.

An adoption, however, permanently alters the legal relationship between a child and his or her biological parents. Adopted parents become the legal parents and biological parents give up all parental rights and obligations. This means that the biological parents no longer owe child support, and the child can no longer automatically inherit from his or her biological parents.

In which county do I file my Petition for Permanent Guardianship of a Minor

A petition for permanent guardianship of a minor may be filed in the county where a minor is found and where the proposed permanent guardian is domiciled.

In what circumstances can the Probate Court appoint a permanent guardian for a minor?

The probate court can only appoint a permanent guardian for a minor if the minor has no natural guardian, testamentary guardian, or permanent guardian appointed by another court.