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.
However, temporary guardianship is meant to be a short-term solution, and there are limits to how long it can last. Here’s what you need to know about how long temporary guardianship can last.
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Time Limits for Temporary Guardianship
The time limit for temporary guardianship varies depending on the circumstances. In some cases, temporary guardianship may be granted for a specific amount of time, such as 90 days or six months.
In other cases, temporary guardianship may be granted until a specific event occurs, such as a parent’s return from military deployment or completion of a drug treatment program.
Temporary guardianship may also be granted in an emergency situation, such as when a parent is hospitalized or incarcerated. In these cases, the temporary guardianship may be granted for a shorter period of time, such as 30 days, until the parent is able to resume their parenting responsibilities.
Renewal of Temporary Guardianship
In some cases, temporary guardianship may be renewed if the child’s parents are still unable to care for them when the original guardianship period ends.
However, the renewal of temporary guardianship is not automatic, and the caregiver must file a new petition with the court and demonstrate that there is still a need for temporary guardianship.
The court will consider factors such as the child’s best interests, the current living situation of the child, and the ability of the parents to resume their parenting responsibilities. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests during the hearing.
Conversion to Permanent Guardianship
If the temporary guardianship lasts for a significant amount of time, the caregiver may consider petitioning the court for permanent guardianship.
Permanent guardianship is a longer-term arrangement that gives the caregiver the legal authority to care for the child until they reach adulthood.
However, obtaining permanent guardianship is a more complex process than obtaining temporary guardianship.
The caregiver must file a petition with the court and demonstrate that the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to care for them. The court will then hold a hearing to determine if permanent guardianship is in the best interests of the child