Lombard, IL Guardianship Attorneys

Skilled Attorneys Helping Establish Guardianship for Minors in Lombard, Illinois

Families may encounter situations where parents are unable to provide the care, supervision, support, and guidance that their children need. In these cases, others may step in to serve in parental roles on a temporary or permanent basis. However, these caregivers may be uncertain about their responsibilities or what authority they have to make decisions for children. By establishing legal guardianship for a minor, a person can be fully prepared to meet the child's needs.

The process of establishing guardianship is often relatively straightforward, but guardians will need to understand their legal requirements and the obligations that will apply to them. At A. Traub & Associates, our family law attorneys can provide invaluable legal help in these cases, ensuring that a guardian will have the tools they need to care for a child. We can also assist with adult guardianship cases in which someone may provide supervision, assistance, and care for a person who is elderly or disabled.

Guardianship of a Minor Child

It is not uncommon for extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even older siblings, to seek guardianship of a child they know to be in need. For example, if a child's birth parents have died, are in prison, cannot be located, or are simply unable to care for and raise their child, others may assume guardianship of the child either with or without the parent's permission.

Guardianship will grant decision-making authority over the child, and a guardian will also have the responsibility to provide for the child's daily needs. Unlike an adoption, which requires the parental rights of one or both of the birth parents to be terminated, guardianship will usually keep the rights of birth parents intact. In some cases, birth parents may be required to pay child support to the guardian of their child.

Guardianship of a minor child may be granted on a temporary basis to address situations where a parent is unable to provide the necessary care. For example, a parent who has been sentenced to prison may name a person who will serve as the guardian of their child until they are released. Other situations that may warrant temporary guardianship may include a serious illness that has affected a parent or military service in which a parent will be deployed overseas.

If a parent voluntarily entered into a temporary guardianship agreement, they may revoke this agreement at any time. A court may also take steps to end a temporary guardianship if it believes that one or both of a child's parents will be able to provide the necessary care. However, courts will always try to determine the arrangements that will provide for the best interests of the child, so they may leave guardianship agreements in place to ensure that children's ongoing needs will be addressed correctly.

At A. Traub & Associates, our attorneys understand how intensely personal guardianship situations can be. Whether you are a parent who wants to make sure your child will be cared for or a family member or other loved one who is providing care for a child, we can help you take the proper steps to protect the child's best interests.

Compassionate Lawyers Who Understand Family Dynamics

The decision to seek guardianship of a minor child should not be made lightly. In addition to taking on tremendous responsibility for the child's well-being, a guardian's relationship with the child's parents may also be affected. If you are seeking guardianship and trying to show that the parents are not capable of providing for the child, the team at A. Traub & Associates can help you determine the best strategy to provide for the child while minimizing conflict between family members or others who may be involved in a case.

Contact Our Lombard, IL Minor Guardianship Attorneys

To learn more about the guardianship process in Illinois or to take steps to establish guardianship of a child, contact the Lombard office of A. Traub & Associates. We will help you understand your options, and we will work with you to address all legal concerns related to authority, care, and support for a child. Call 630-426-0196 today to schedule your confidential consultation with one of our experienced guardianship lawyers.