Guardianship Book for California: How to Become a Child's Legal Guardian Book

1. Introduction: An Overview of Guardianships
How This Book Can Help You
What This Book Does Not Cover
What Is a Guardianship?
Two Types of Guardianships
Is a Guardianship Really Necessary?
Should You Be the Guardian?
Do You Need an Attorney or Other Legal Professional?
Using This Book

2. Alternatives to a Court-Ordered Guardianship
How to Use This Chapter
Alternatives to Guardianship of a Minor's Person
Dealing With Agencies and Institutions
Medical and Dental Care

3. Getting Started
Documents and Information You Need
The Courts
How to Use the Forms
General Rules on Completing Forms
How to File Papers With the Court
Filing Fees and Court Costs

4. Notifying Minor's Relatives and Obtaining Their Consent
Overview of How to Notify Relatives
Guardianship Notification Worksheet
Try to Find Minor's Unknown or Missing Relatives
After You've Searched for Missing Relatives
Consent of Proposed Guardian, Nomination of Guardian, and Consent to Appointment of Guardian and Waiver of Notice Form
Discussing the Guardianship With the Minor's Relatives
Obtain Signatures From Relatives on the Nomination and Waiver of Notice Forms
Continue Filling In the Worksheet

5. Preparing Forms to File for a Guardianship
Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Minor(s) and Child Information Attachment
Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) (Guardianship of a Minor's Person Only)
Notice of Hearing
(Proposed) Order Dispensing With Notice
(Proposed) Order Appointing Guardian of Minor
(Proposed) Letters of Guardianship
Confidential Guardian ScreeningForm
Duties of Guardian and Acknowledgment of Receipt
Prepare Supplemental Documents If Required
When You Need a Guardianship Right Away

6. Filing and Serving the Guardianship Papers
Check Your Work
File Guardianship Documents and Get a Hearing Date
Local Court Forms May Be Required After You File Your Papers
Serving Papers
Determine Who Must Be Served
Personal Service and Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt
Having Documents Served by Mail
Copy and File Proofs of Service and Possibly Notice of Hearing
Complete the Guardianship Notification Worksheet

7. Temporary Guardianships of a Minor's Person
When to Seek a Temporary Guardianship
Overview of the Temporary Guardianship Process
Call the Court
Complete the Regular Guardianship Documents
Complete Temporary Guardianship Documents
Filing Documents, Serving Papers, and Obtaining Letters of Temporary Guardianship
How to Extend the Temporary Guardianship

8. The Guardianship Investigation
Each Court Has Its Own Policies for Investigations
Investigation Procedure
Tips on Dealing With the Investigator
The Investigator's Report
Fees for the Investigation
If the Investigator Recommends Against Granting Guardianship
If the Investigator Recommends Granting Temporary Guardianship

9. The Hearing: Preparing, Attending, and What to Do Afterward
Getting Ready for the Hearing
Make Sure Your Hearing Is on the Court Calendar
The Day of the Hearing
Attend the Hearing
Getting the Letters of Guardianship Issued by the Clerk

10. Guardianship of a Minor's Estate
How to Use This Chapter
Completing Estate Items in the Petition
After the Guardianship Hearing
Consult Other Resources to Meet Court Reporting Requirements
Using Funds From the Estate for Support of the Minor
Ongoing Responsibilities for the Guardian of a Minor's Estate

11. Now That You're a Guardian: Rights and Responsibilities
What to Do With Letters of Guardianship
Responsibilities of Guardians of a Minor's Estate
Responsibilities of Guardians of a Minor's Person
Responsibilities to the Court
Transferring the Guardianship to Another California Court
Reimbursements and Compensation of the Guardian
If the Guardianship Is Contested After You Are Appointed

12. Ending the Guardianship
Termination of the Guardianship
Resignation of the Guardian
Contested Situations: Removal or Suspension of the Guardian

13. Lawyers and Legal Research
Finding Free Legal Help
What a Legal Document Preparer Can Do
Finding and Hiring a Lawyer
Doing Your Own Legal Research

A. Appendix A: Glossary of Guardianship Terms
B. Appendix B: Forms for Informal Guardianship Situations
C. Appendix C: Forms for Obtaining a Court-Ordered Guardianship

Index