How does temporary guardianship work in cases of emergencies?

Temporary guardianship is a legal arrangement that allows a caregiver to care for a child when the child’s parents are unable to do so. In cases of emergencies, temporary guardianship may be granted quickly and without a formal hearing. 


Here’s what you need to know about how temporary guardianship works in cases of emergencies.

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Definition of Emergency Temporary Guardianship

Emergency temporary guardianship is a legal arrangement that allows a caregiver to care for a child in situations where the child is in danger or at risk of harm. 

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Emergency temporary guardianship may be granted in situations such as when a parent is hospitalized or incapacitated, when a parent is arrested, or when a child is found to be living in unsafe conditions.

Emergency temporary guardianship may be granted quickly, often without a formal hearing. The caregiver may be required to provide evidence to the court that there is a legitimate emergency situation, such as a letter from a doctor or other medical professional.

Filing a Petition for Emergency Temporary Guardianship

To obtain emergency temporary guardianship, the caregiver must file a petition with the court. The petition should include information about the caregiver, the child, and the reasons for seeking emergency temporary guardianship. 

The caregiver may also need to provide evidence to support their petition, such as medical records or other documentation.

In cases of emergencies, the court may grant temporary guardianship without a formal hearing. However, the court may require the caregiver to notify the child’s parents or other interested parties of the emergency temporary guardianship. 

The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests during the emergency temporary guardianship.

Duration of Emergency Temporary Guardianship

Emergency temporary guardianship is meant to be a short-term solution and is granted for a limited period of time. The duration of emergency temporary guardianship may vary depending on the circumstances. 

In some cases, it may be granted for a few days or a week, while in other cases, it may be granted for a longer period of time, such as 30 days.

At the end of the emergency temporary guardianship period, the caregiver must return the child to their parents or seek other legal arrangements if necessary. 

If the emergency situation continues, the caregiver may seek to extend the temporary guardianship by filing a petition with the court and providing evidence that the emergency situation is ongoing