Is guardianship the same as custody?

A guardian is responsible for the child, cares for the child and makes decisions about the child's daily life. Guardians have legal custody of a child. Guardians also usually have physical custody of the child. In New York State, there are very few differences between custody and guardianship.

Both guardianship and custody describe the legal relationships between an adult and a child. Custody refers to the child's biological parents, whereas guardianship would be granted to a non-biological parent. Thinking about custody can be a necessary part of a couple's separation or divorce proceedings, while guardianship is often a longer-term approach to such issues. For more in-depth expert advice, consider consulting a professional financial advisor.

Let's Compare the Main Differences Between Guardianship and Custody. Guardianship is a court-ordered relationship in which the court appoints an adult to care for a minor (ward) whose circumstances require it and to make decisions about the child's education, support, and support. Parents are the natural guardians of their children and do not need to be appointed by a court. If necessary, the court may appoint a guardian to manage and control the ward, even if custody has been granted to the parents.

A person designated as guardian must be adequate and qualified and is usually a close adult relative willing to serve. The guardian must always act in the best interest of the conservatee and file a report to the court at least once a year. Guardianship of a minor ends when the child turns 18 years of age. Guardianship is determined in Probate Court.

Ultimately, as a parent, it's your decision to consider whether adoption or guardianship is in your child's best interest. A guardianship is often established because a child under the age of 18 needs another person to make legal decisions for him or her. In contrast, guardianships tend to last much longer, often during the guardian's lifetime or until the child turns 18. Guardianship mainly involves creating help for people who are incapacitated, meaning they are not mentally or physically able to care for themselves. Parents assume guardianship by default, but in cases where one parent is absent or unfit, the court may step in and appoint another person to the role.

If a party seeking guardianship faces opposition from the child's parents or wants more control over the child's support, an action seeking non-parental custody may be more appropriate. Guardianship and custody are similar but distinct concepts that describe legal relationships between an adult and a child. The terms guardianship, custody, and adoption often confuse people, as their differences are nuanced and a bit complicated. In some ways, a legal guardianship is similar to an adoption, but in a legal guardianship, the child's biological parents are still legally considered the child's parents.

The main difference between custody and guardianship is the child's parents: custody is provided to the child's biological parents, while guardianship is given to a non-biological parent. Custody and guardianship are important approaches to consider when dealing with any larger family questions, especially those involving children. Whichever route you choose, both adoption and guardianship require knowledge of the laws and a thorough investigation. Guardianships, on the other hand, while sometimes granted on a temporary or emergency basis, tend to be longer lasting than custody determinations and persist for the life of the guardian or until the child reaches the age of majority.

For guardianship, the final determination is also made in court, but parents can also appoint an appointment. .