Mari Alice offers the following legal services concerning minor custody rights:
- Minor Guardianships
- Grandparent or Kinship Custody and Visitation Orders
- Grandparent Caretaker Affidavit
- Grandparent Power of Attorney
A guardianship permits an adult to have court-ordered legal rights over the minor child. Such a guardianship can result from the death of parent/s, incarceration of parent/s, consent of the parent/s, and any other unsuitability of parent/s to care for their child. By allowing the guardian legal rights over the child, a guardian has authority to: provide emotional support for the child, including protection and discipline; determine where and with whom the child will live; make decisions regarding the child’s care, education, and upbringing; provide for the child’s medical needs; and provide food and shelter. Parents may maintain some rights.
An adult person who is a caregiver, whether or not related, can apply for a guardianship; such custody is not limited to blood relatives, but based on what is best for the emotional and physical well-being of the child. These guardianships can be unlimited and will terminate when the child turns 18 years old or limited for a specific period of time.
Similarly, a grandparent or other relative can file an action in court to obtain custody or visitation rights when it is in the best interests of the child. In a custody arrangement, the grandparent or other relative will have physical custody and care for the child and the parent/s may maintain their parental custodial rights. These custody arrangements may be for a limited or unlimited time period.
Grandparents can also seek court-ordered visitation rights with a minor child in situations when they are otherwise being denied visitation.
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