Child Legal Care Plans: Which one is right for you?

You pick someone to make everyday medical and educational decisions for your child.

You do this by signing a form in front of a notary.

- You only need a temporary arrangement

- You need someone to handle routine medical appointments and school matters

- You won’t need someone else to change your child’s school district, make big medical decisions for your child, or get your child a passport

- You want a simple solution that doesn't involve the courts

You pick someone to care for your child if something happens to you. 

You do this by signing a simple form in front of witnesses.

It starts with a "triggering event”, like:

- You die

- You become physically or mentally unable to care for your child.

- You and your child are separated by immigration detention or  deportation

It lasts for 60 days after a triggering event. It becomes permanent if: 

1. The standby guardian files for guardianship and

2. The judge approves the guardianship.

- You need a more permanent option

- You don’t want to go to court right now

- You might need someone to make big decisions for your child, like moving with them, getting them a passport, or making major medical decisions

This is like the "Designation of Standby Guardian," except you go to court ahead of time.

You pick someone to be the guardian and ask a judge to approve them. 

Yes, you file papers at the court, before the triggering event happens. You may have to go to a hearing. 

It starts with a triggering event. The guardian has 60 to 90 days (depending on the trigger) to show the court that the triggering event happened.

(Your guardian does not have another hearing.)

- You prefer to have the arrangement legally approved by a judge

- You need a more permanent option

- You want to participate in the court hearing about the guardianship