What You Should Know About Types of People Appointed as Legal Guardians

Appointing the guardianship of a minor is a very sensitive and delicate situation. It is extremely important that the individual that is granted the responsibility for the guardianship of a minor is a capable, caring and dependable adult. Legally, any individual who has reached the age of eighteen and is a citizen of the United States is permitted to obtain guardianship of minors.

A judge will usually appoint a relative of the child or a close friend of the family to undertake the guardianship of a minor. Often, a prospective guardian will be an aunt, uncle, grandparent, cousin, or an older brother or sister. However, being a friend or a family member does not automatically entitle an individual to acquire the guardianship of minors. It is important that these potential guardians possess certain qualities and characteristics, as well as meet certain criteria.

Before the guardianship of a minor is appointed, there are certain elements about the guardian's character that must be addressed and examined. The most important thing that needs to be considered is whether or not the proposed guardian is responsible enough to handle the guardianship of minors. The individual that is being considered must be dependable.

Another primary concern is whether or not the individual that is being proposed to obtain the guardianship of a minor loves and cares for the child. A guardian must have the child's best interests at heart.

Any individual who is seeking to assume guardianship of minors should be financially stable. A guardian will need to be able to provide for the child. A person seeking to undertake the guardianship of minors should themselves be in good physical and mental health. The proposed guardian should not have any severe health problems that may interfere with their ability to care for the child. Other considerations that may be taken into account when appointing guardianship of minors is if the potential guardian has strong values and morals and be able to provide a good example to the child.

Before authorizing the guardianship of minors to an individual, the judge may take into account the location of the proposed guardian. Ideally, living with the proposed guardian would continue to allow the child to have the ability to visit with their family members and their friends. The condition of an individual’s house and home life will also be taken into account when appointing the guardianship of minors. The proposed guardian should be able to provide the child with a safe and stable environment in which to live.

In most cases, a guardian should not be someone who has a criminal record or a history of violence, abuse or neglect. A proposed guardian should be an individual who can raise a child with the child's well-being in mind. A guardian should be someone who is responsible, caring, wholesome, healthy, and trustworthy.

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