Many people in Massachusetts regard a guardianship as permanent until the child reaches the age of 18, the age at which the guardianship automatically terminates. However, even though most guardianships provide significant benefits for both the parents and the ward,...
Guardianships and adoptions — what’s the difference?
Many residents of Massachusetts have considered the possibility of becoming a guardian for a minor child or adopting a minor child. Each set of potential parents has its own expectations and wishes about how this addition to their family will affect them. One of the...
Guardianship and government benefits
Many children, particularly special needs children, are eligible for a variety of government benefits at both the state and federal levels. For several reasons, these young residents of Massachusetts may need to have another adult, aside from their parents, take...
What is the difference between adoption and guardianship?
This blog has previously discussed various aspects about guardianship over minor children in Massachusetts. Basically, a guardianship gives a child's loved ones the opportunity to step in and take over parental responsibilities when a parent is unwilling or unable to...
How does a temporary guardianship work?
This blog has, on previous occasions, talked about how those who have minor children in their lives who need immediate care can ask to be appointed as those children's guardian. Normally, the process of getting appointed as a child's guardian takes a formal process...
Once I have guardianship of a minor, what must I do?
As this blog has discussed on previous occasions, grandparents and other concerned relatives may be able to help a child by taking custody of them through guardianship. Hopefully, with the proper legal help, this process can go relatively smoothly, particularly if the...
Child support issues in guardianship cases
This blog has on previous cases discussed how relatives of Massachusetts children can use legal guardianship as a process to get authority to take care of their loved ones if their parents are unable or unwilling to do so for any number of serious reasons. Financial...
What is temporary guardianship?
A guardian is a person who is responsible for taking care of a person who cannot take care of themselves. In Massachusetts the courts can appoint guardians for adults who are incapacitated or otherwise unable to make decisions to support their wellbeing. They can also...
Who will care for your child if you are unable to do so?
Massachusetts parents would often do anything for their children to ensure that the youths are well provided for, happy, healthy, educated and thriving. Parents are willing to make incredible sacrifices for their kids to provide them with the opportunities that the...
Why might a child be appointed a legal guardian?
When it comes to making important decisions about children's lives their parents often fill the role of judgment makers. Parents in Springfield regularly make choices about how to have their children treated for medical conditions, how they will have them educated and...
