Oftentimes, an individual or a couple may wish to be appointed as the legal guardian of a child, however they are unfamiliar with what exactly the role entails. Some questions often include how to proceed with a guardianship case in court, what the positives and negatives are of being appointed as guardian, and what the various roles are throughout the process. When dealing with cases involving minor children, the court always focuses on the child’s best interest and makes its decisions accordingly. It is important, however, to prepare for both before, during and after you are appointed as a child’s guardian.
What is a Guardian?
In the state of Kansas, a guardian is an adult who is fit to care for the well-being of another adult or child. Guardians can be close relatives or they can be other adults who have a relationship with the child and would be fit to care for them. The goal of a guardian is to provide necessary care of a child in the ways of physical and emotional well-being, manage their finances if necessary and ensure they are educated and raised in a healthy, stable environment.
How do Guardianships end?
A guardianship is created to last essentially until the child no longer needs to be cared for. Therefore a guardianship can end in a variety of ways. Most commonly, guardianship ends automatically when the child turns the age of majority, or 18. However, many guardianships can end for different reasons, such as the guardian resigning from its role or the court reassigning the current guardian’s responsibilities to another person.
What is a Guardian Ad Litem?
A guardian ad litem is a court appointed representative that speaks on behalf of the child in order to ensure their best interests are being maintained. A minor is usually considered unable to speak adequately for himself or herself, therefore the court sees a strong benefit to having a guardian ad litem on their side during certain legal proceedings, such as guardianship. A guardian ad litem may be a close relative or an attorney, however their role is always the same and the child is always protected on their behalf.
Call Kansas Guardianship Attorney Tom McDowell Today to Have All Your Questions Answered
If you are seeking guardianship of a child but are unfamiliar with the process, our law firm can help. Tom McDowell has over 40 years of experience in the areas of guardianship and family law and is more than qualified to help you with your matter. We understand the questions you may have and can help give you the answers you need. Guardianship can be an intricate process without the help of an attorney, and we are here to help alleviate that stress. Contact the Kansas Guardianship Lawyer at McDowell Chartered Legal Services today at (316) 269-0746 to see how we can successfully assist you with your minor guardianship questions.
