To become a legal guardian, you'll need to have experience providing care and managing property and resources. A parent will automatically become a guardian by operation of law provided that the parent becomes aware of the pregnancy or becomes aware of the birth of the child, whichever is earlier, within one (1) year (Section 20 – and only parents apply). The guardian can act with the surviving parent and any disputes will have to be settled by the court. to find out more about this. Guardianship gives you the same rights over the child as a natural parent would have. You can apply to be a child’s special guardian if you’re not their parent and you’re over 18. See How can you become a child's guardian? If you are seeking to become a guardian, you must read the Guardianship Pamphlet (Form GC-205). If adoption is impossible, unfeasible, or undesirable, consider becoming your stepchild's legal guardian. Obtaining legal guardianship of your stepchild can provide closer legal ties. I have been supporting my daughter and the two children financially for approximately six years. In some cases, there may be more than one guardian (called ‘joint guardians’). This portion of the site is for informational purposes only. Yes, and doing so is good planning. Carol represents persons who wish to adopt their stepchild(ren) and parties in post-dissolution Family Court proceedings who are seeking modification of child custody orders. The legal process to obtain guardianship can vary based on a number of factors, including your individual circumstances. If you are attempting to be appointed to this position, you may wish to consult a lawyer. But you can change that by assuming legal guardianship. Complete the form and attach other documentation. A legal guardian, also called a conservator in some states, is someone with the legal authority to care and make decisions for a minor child or incapacitated adult. Review the legal guardianship laws for your state, and determine what types of guardianship or delegations of parental powers your state might allow you to apply for. How to Exclude Stepchildren From Your Estate, How to Write a Legal Guardianship Document, TotalDivorce: Stepparents' Child Custody Rights, SupportGuidelines.com: The Duty of Stepparents to Support Their Stepchildren, Frascona, Joiner, Goodman and Greenstein, P.C: Legal Rights of Stepparents, LawInfo.com: How To Establish a Guardianship of a Minor, FreeAdvice: Rights of a Stepparent in Making Legal Decisions for Stepchild, The Probate Courts of Connecticut: Guidelines for Guardianships of Minors, Arizona Judicial Branch -- Self-Service Center: Filing for Minor Guardianship, Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society: Stepparents in the United States, American Bar Association: Family Law in the 50 States, Child Welfare Information Gateway: Stepparent Adoption, FamilyEducation.com: Stepparent Adoption -- Other Options. If this happens, those that already have parental responsibility of the child will be provided with notice of the application to the court. However, my wife and I thought that maybe I should have legal rights