Guardianship & Conservatorship
When a child or an adult cannot care for themselves, a court can appoint someone to decide for them. Learn the difference between guardianship and conservatorship, who can petition, the duties and oversight involved, and the less-restrictive alternatives — terms and procedures vary by state.
All Guardianship & Conservatorship guides
- How to Get Guardianship of a Child Who Isn't Yours
Yes, a non-parent can get guardianship of a child. How standing, parental consent, and cross-state moves work, plus the steps to file.
- Guardianship vs. Custody: What's the Difference?
Guardianship vs. custody explained: who gets it, which court decides, and whether parental rights end. Plus how it works in NC and Texas.
- Conservatorship vs. Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney Explained
Conservatorship, guardianship, and power of attorney compared: who handles a person vs. money, court vs. no-court, and the cheaper POA option.
- Guardianship of an Adult Child: What Parents Must Do at Age 18
At 18 your disabled child becomes a legal adult and you lose authority. Learn how to get guardianship, the alternatives, and why to start early.
- How to Terminate Guardianship of a Child or Adult
How to terminate guardianship of a child or adult: who can petition, the court steps, what to prove, and when contested cases need a lawyer.
- From Foster Care to Forever: Guardianship and Adoption of a Foster Child
How foster and kinship caregivers get legal guardianship of a child in care, and how to turn that guardianship into a permanent adoption.
- Can Grandparents Get Legal Guardianship of Grandchildren?
Yes, grandparents can get legal guardianship of grandchildren, but you must usually overcome the parents' rights. Here's how guardianship works and what to do.
- What Is a Conservatorship? Meaning, Process, and Your Rights
A conservatorship is a court arrangement giving someone legal authority over an adult who can't manage their own affairs. Meaning, process, and rights explained.
- How to Get Emergency or Temporary Guardianship of a Child Fast
Need emergency guardianship of a child fast? Learn how to file an emergency or temporary guardianship petition when a parent is in jail, hospitalized, or unsafe.
- How to Get Legal Guardianship of a Child: Step-by-Step Process
A plain-English, step-by-step guide to getting legal guardianship of a child: who qualifies, what to file, the court hearing, costs, and state-specific rules.
- How to Get Guardianship of a Disabled or Special Needs Child
How parents get legal guardianship of a disabled or special needs child, why the age of majority is the deadline, and the court steps to file. State law varies.
- Who Gets Guardianship of a Child After a Parent Dies?
If a parent dies, a fit surviving parent usually keeps the child. When both parents are gone, a court names a guardian. How to get guardianship now.
- How to Get Your Child Back After a Guardianship
A birth parent's step-by-step guide to terminating a minor guardianship and regaining custody of your child, plus what courts look for.
- Adult Guardianship: How to Become Guardian of an Elderly Parent
How to get adult guardianship of an elderly parent: the court steps, forms, costs, alternatives, and when to hire a guardianship lawyer near you.
- How to Get Guardianship of a Child Without Going to Court
True legal guardianship needs a court, but court-free tools like consent affidavits and power of attorney can give a caregiver real authority.
- Guardianship of a Minor: Required Forms and Where to File
What guardianship of a minor is, the forms you typically file, where to file them, and how the process differs in California, Florida, and other states.
- How Much Does Guardianship Cost and How Long Does It Take?
Realistic cost ranges and timelines for getting guardianship of a child, plus what drives fees up and how to prepare before you talk to a lawyer.