If my husband and I are going to be caring for our 5 year old niece, what kind of guardianship do we need?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If my husband and I are going to be caring for our 5 year old niece, what kind of guardianship do we need?
We live in one state and her mother is currently living in another; she is homeless and unable to provide her with a safe, stable place to live. We want to be able to put her in school and have control over her schooling and medical treatments. We are also concerned that her mother would come take her back while still unable to care for her. Also, is there any medical or financial assistance available to help us in caring for her? She has no clothes, shoes, bed, toys, books… we will need to buy everything.
Asked on November 24, 2012 under Family Law, Virginia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
I suggest that you and your husband consult with a family law attorney to assist you in getting guardianship agreement drafted and signed by your niece's mother allowing you to be the guardian of the child for a stated period of time setting forth the scope of the guardianship.
If the mother will not sign the document, you will need to file a petition for the guardianship.
There are programs to assist you with finances for the minor through your county's social services department.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.