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©
2007
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In
California, "guardianships" are established for children
under the age of 18 years. Children never have ability to make legal,
financial or even medical decisions for themselves. Guardianship are
appropriate when a child is unable to live with a parent, or if they
are entitled to money, for reasons such as a personal injury settlement
or inheritance. Children who are not living with a parent may need
a guardian of their person - someone to make medical and health care
decisions for them.
A guardianship proceeding begins when someone files a petition in
the Superior Court alleging that the appointment of a guardian is
required. A family member, a friend, or more rarely than in the cases
of an adult, a professional guardian may be the petitioner. The petition
is fairly detailed, but I take great care to make sure that the child
and his or her family are treated with dignity and respect.
I have been involved in numerous guardianships, representing the family
members who are usually seeking to be appointed as the guardians.
As of now, I still charge only $250.00 an hour for my work in guardianship
proceedings. Guardians and their attorneys must wait for specific
court approval before they are paid for their services. This is one
of the many ways that the Court makes certain that the child's best
interests are protected. |
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