Legal Question in Family Law in Idaho
Obtaining Guardianship of a minor
How do my husband and I obtain guardianship of a 16 year old male (with his parent's permission)? We would like the parents to remain legally responsible, but want the boy to live with us, and would like to be otherwise responsible for him until such time as his parents want him to return. I have heard the term, "guardian ad lidem", but am not familiar with the meaning, or how to go about becoming a guardian.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Obtaining Guardianship of a minor
Though I'm licensed in Tennessee and not in Idaho, the approach you would
use here and in most states would have the child's legal guardian initially sign a Power of
Attorney for Child Care (you can find a form to use at the following url:
http://www2.pair.com/cba/jesbeard/17a.htm You can find information on the form at
http://www2.pair.com/cba/jesbeard/17.htm AFTER that in most states you would go to
juvenile court in the county where the child has been living the last 6 months with an AGREED
ORDER prepared by a local attorney (agreed orders tend to be very inexpensive) and have
the local Juvenile Court judge sign the order transfering custody. That is it in most states.
Fairly easy.
Jes Beard
Jes Beard, Attorney at Law
737 Market St., Suite 601
Re: Obtaining Guardianship of a minor
I suggest you see a local attorney to assist you. A written power of attorney can be drafted allowing to have custody and still have the parents remain responsible. If such an agreement is drafted you should have adequate protection to maintain custody.
Gerald Hershenson
Law Office of Gerald M. Hershenson
506 Corporate Drive West
Re: Obtaining Guardianship of a minor
A proviso. I don't know the law of your state. In Ohio the one problem you may face with a power of attorney as opposed to guardianship is school enrollment. Many school districts will not allow non-resident (meaning not in the custody of a resident adult) to attend. This may not be a problem but if it is, either the probate or juvenile court should be able to help you file necessary papers.
By the way, the term "guardian ad litem" is a specialized term referring to someone who appears on behalf of a minor in any legal proceeding to which the minor is a party. It has nothing to do with custody.
Jonathan Schiff
Self employed
605 Rose Hill Ave