Kinship guardianship allows a relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or even a close family friend, to take legal responsibility for a child when the parents are unable to do so.
Unlike temporary caregiving, guardianship gives you legal authority to:
• Make decisions about the child’s education
• Access medical care and make healthcare decisions
• Provide stability and daily care
• Act in the child’s best interests legally
This is often used when parents are facing issues such as substance abuse, incarceration, instability, or absence, but their parental rights have not been permanently terminated.
