Guardianships

Sometimes, when neither parent can provide care for a child, it is necessary for a relative or family friend to step-in and apply to the court for custody. 

These matters are typically not addressed by the Family Court, but rather, by the Probate Court.  At some point, if one or both parents become able to take care of their child, they might apply to the court for a termination of guardianship.  Guardianships are more complex than child custody cases between the parents. 

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Often these matters are uncontested – as when a parent is disabled.  But sometimes they are contested, as when both parents have alleged problems with drugs or alcohol, mental illness, homelessness, or economic disadvantage.  Sometimes child custody conflicts between the parents alienate the children so much that the children have to go live elsewhere.

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We have built-up the tools to help individuals obtain a guardianship, or parents who wish to defend against a guardianship.