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- 1). The first thing you need to do is locate your local probate and family court. You will need to go to the court in the county where the child has lived for the past six months or in the court where the child or parents have any previous court orders. This is important because you need to file with the Court that has jurisdiction.
- 2). Once you locate that court go to the court and see what papers you need to complete and file to seek temporary custody/ guardianship of your grandchild or a child. You may need a copy of the child's birth certificate or if a parent has passed away a death certificate. You will need to have reason of why you should be the guardian. If the parents consent and sign off on the matter that is one thing. If not be prepared of why you.
Is a parent unfit due to alcohol or drugs? Try to get proof. Letter from Children services, police reports, school reports if child has issues at late or no show, unkempt.
Keep in mind that when you go to court the court will check your history with social services and your criminal record, you too need to be fit to care for a child. One you file and get a court date you serve the other party and go to court. - 3). Most guardianship cases start as temporary and go back to court every few months for a review. You can seek permanent guardianship. TO do so once has to legal notify all related parties. If the paeties consent to it going permanet it is usually not a problem. If you can not locate a parent to do so then you will probably have to place a legal ad in a newspaper where the parents live to give legal notice. Check with your court to see if there are any other forms that need to be complete to go permanent guardianship. Permanent means you do not need to go back to court every few months. Permanent can be changed or removed by a party filing paperwork to request the Court to remove the guardian. Some times this happens when a guardian dies.
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