A standby guardian is a person who is given temporary authority to care for another person's minor child, while the parent or legal guardian is still alive.
To obtain guardianship of a child, a person must file a petition in court. A petition is a legal form that allows a person to ask the court for something. Any person 18 years old or older can file a petition in court to become a guardian.
One form of guardianship, governed by the mental hygiene law (general guardianship), provides for the appointment of a guardian for any adult who may have a medical diagnosis that impairs their decision-making and is determined by a court to be unable to appreciate the harmful consequences of their impairment.
A Guardianship case can months to complete. Initially, a petition is filed with the Court along with a proposed Order to Show Cause. After review, the Court will sign the Order to Show Cause which sets the Court date which is usually 3-4 weeks later.
To obtain an Article 81 guardian, a person (over the age of 18) or entity must first file a case in court and prove that a guardian is necessary. The person or entity that files for the appointment of an Article 81 guardian is called a petitioner.
While a guardianship gives one or more people the authority to make health-related decisions for another person, a conservatorship is a legal relationship that gives one or more individuals the authority to make financial decisions on behalf of an incompetent or incapacitated person.
Custody orders are often considered to be more permanent solutions to childcare issues, while guardianship may last a lifetime, but also has the opportunity to be temporary. Whether you're seeking to obtain custody or guardianship of a child, it's essential to ensure that you have the right assistance.