Would My Brother Count as a Legal Guardian

A personal care tutor is appointed when a person cannot cope with their daily life alone – mobility, care, nutrition, medical care. An estate care guardian is appointed when individuals are unable to manage their finances successfully. Guardianship of a younger sibling with special needs is likely to be a significant commitment, emotionally, physically, and financially. If an application for guardianship is accepted, legal liability extends to the age of 18. Like a parent, a sibling who asks the court to become their sibling`s legal guardian must be able to provide for the child appropriately – physically, emotionally and financially. This can be difficult to manage at a young age, especially after the recent loss of a parent. In determining whether it is in the best interests of the minor to allow a sibling to act as a legal guardian, a court will consider the following: Guardianship may be arranged for a brother or sister over the age of 18 but unable to manage his or her affairs. This case is being dealt with by the probate court. There are two types of guardianship: taking care of the person and taking care of the estate. Jennifer joined LegalMatch in 2020 as a Legal Writer. She holds a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law and has been a member of the Alabama State Bar since 2012.

She is a mediator and certified ad litem tutor. She holds a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a B.A. in Spanish, both from Auburn University. Jennifer`s favorite part of her legal work is research and writing. Jennifer enjoyed being a law clerk for a respected district judge in Alabama. She is a housewife and home teacher of three children. She enjoys reading and taking long evening walks with her husband. If there are doubts about your capacity or integrity in carrying out your responsibilities, the court may hear challenges to terminate guardianship. Once you become a guardian, you take legal responsibility for the well-being of your community. The decisions you have to make may not be the ones your parents would choose. It is important for everyone to understand the role, responsibilities and authority of the guardian.

If you are unsure whether guardianship is necessary for the estate, talk to a lawyer. Click here for help finding a lawyer. In addition, the court may take into account the child`s custody preferences if the child is old enough and able to express his or her preference. For families with several minor children, the adult sibling may need to prove that custody would receive the family unit. This is especially true in cases where other family members would not be able to accommodate all the children and they would be separated. If there are only two of you, you will receive a copy of the guardian`s responsibilities for your state. If it`s an inheritance or financial asset, it`s probably in your best interest to hire a lawyer. A court may appoint you as your sole guardian or make you a guardian with another person or someone who is already a guardian. The court may order an investigator to interview the applicant and his siblings and to visit the apartment where the child will live. If siblings can prove that they are financially capable, emotionally and spiritually to care for their siblings, and that it would be in the best interest of their siblings to be in their care, custody can be given to them. The decision to become a guardian of a younger sibling should be thoughtful.

Of course, you want them to know that they are loved and safe. There is no doubt about that. Obtaining custody of a sibling includes court records and orders. And whenever a court makes a custody decision, that decision is made in the best interests of the child. While courts may leave custody decisions to the parent or guardian, there are a number of factors they may consider when deciding whether transferring custody to a sibling is in the best interests of the child: In guardianship of the person, the guardian has the same responsibility to the child as a parent. This means that the guardian has full legal and physical custody of the child and can make any decision regarding the physical care of the child that a parent would make. A guardian can be anyone: parents, family friends or other people capable of raising the child can apply to be legal guardians. Yes, a sibling can be a legal guardian if the above age requirements are met and the court awards custody to the brother or sister. The courts assume that the child is best placed to live with a biological parent.

However, an adult sibling may be granted custody of a sibling in certain cases, such as: If you are over 18 and your parents die or are no longer able to care for your younger sibling, you should apply for guardianship so that you can take care of them yourself. To do this, you must file a petition with the court in the county where your brother or sister lives. If the court grants you permanent guardianship, it means that you have full legal responsibility for your siblings until they turn 18. [1] X Research Source [2] X Research Source Able to provide an active and appropriate guardianship plan Talk to your siblings and listen to what they have to say. If you have other family members, sit down and talk about guardianship. If you`re married, make sure you and your spouse are on the same page, especially if you have children of your own. There is nothing more troubling for a family than the loss of one parent – the only exception being the loss of both. In this case, an adult sibling may need to step in and take over the guardianship of younger siblings. The decision to take on the role of parent is a very personal matter, but becoming a legal guardian is a matter for the court. The application to become your sibling`s legal guardian is often only enforced as a last resort. Getting custody of someone else is not an easy task, but seeing your sibling being taken care of by a government agency is often even harder.

The law firm of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C. has 33 years of experience helping many families through some of their most difficult times. Whether you have recently lost your parents or simply believe that becoming the legal guardian of your siblings is best for their health and safety, Mr. Machroli will guide you through the petition process and fight for the well-being of your siblings. If you are considering applying for guardianship, contact our Hillside guardianship attorney at 708-449-7404 to schedule your free consultation. While staff in the clerk`s office are helpful, it`s always best to have a lawyer help fill out legal forms. But depending on their condition, this addiction can extend beyond legal adulthood. At the hearing, you (and your lawyer) will present evidence to the judge to prove your capacity as a guardian. You have the right to call witnesses and present evidence to prove your capacity. Anyone who opposes your application can also take their case against you to the judge.

The court will consider what is in the best interests of the child to ensure that the child grows up in a safe, stable and loving environment. A parent or guardian can care for a child if the parents are unable to do so. Yes, it is important to have the help of a guardianship lawyer for any custody issues you may have. As mentioned above, custody laws are complex and can vary from province or territory to jurisdiction. A lawyer will advise you on applicable laws, help you file your application and represent you in court proceedings. If your siblings need your help, having a lawyer by your side is your best chance of success. To get custody of a sibling, you must ask the court to become their guardian. Your sibling must generally be under 18 or legally dependent, and you must be over 18 or legally emancipated. The procedure for filing a custody petition with the court or even for including agreed-upon custody conditions in a court order may vary from state to state.