GUARDIANSHIP
California law requires that minors must have an adult who is responsible for them unless, for instance, they are married or emancipated by a court order. There are two ways in California this can be accomplished: an informal custody arrangement or a court-appointed guardian where a court makes an order appointing a guardian.
An informal custody arrangement may only be used where there is need for an adult to be responsible for the person of a minor. It may not be used as an alternative to a court-appointed guardianship if guardianship of a minor’s estates is needed
.
A court appointed guardianship is the only way to have an adult appointed as a minor’s legal guardian. You must apply in the county of the child’s residence. There are two types of legal guardianships for a minor in California guardianship of the person and guardianship of the estate.
There are two types of guardianships. One type is to appoint a guardian to care for the minor’s person. As guardian of the person, you must make arrangements to provide the minor with a safe and healthy environment.
The second type of guardianship is appointed to care for and handle the estate (finances and property) that a minor may have inherited from belonging to someone who is no longer capable of caring for and handling their own estate.