Guardianship Attorney Columbus Ohio
Petitioning for Legal Guardianship of a Child
The first step in becoming a legal guardian is to complete the necessary paperwork and file it with the court. This paperwork demonstrates your interest in caring for the child. The next step is a meeting with the court, you, and the child. At this time, the court will determine whether the legal guardianship is in the child’s best interest. Guardians are often grandparents, aunts, or uncles.
In Ohio, the legal guardian is responsible for:
- The care of the child
- The child’s physical well-being
- Making decisions on behalf of the child
While most children are under the legal care and custody of their parents, there are situations that require a legal guardian to look after the best interests of a child. If you need legal advice or representation for an issue involving domestic or juvenile guardianship, call the Law Offices of William L. Geary. Our guardianship attorneys in Columbus are court approved “Guardian ad Litem” for domestic and juvenile cases and have more than two decades of experience representing clients exclusively in the area of family law.
Please contact us at (614) 289-1227 to get legal advice in a confidential consultation with a guardianship lawyer near you.
Emergency Guardianship Ohio
A guardian is responsible for acting in the best interests of a child when the parent is unable to care for the child. In general, the legal guardian is not the parent of the child. This could be a temporary situation for a specific period of time. Emergency guardianships in Ohio are used in an emergency situation when there is risk of immediate harm. When another person will be assuming care and legal responsibility for the child, a legal guardianship is granted and lasts until the child turns 18.
Our Columbus guardianship lawyers are knowledgeable in all aspects of family law. We can answer your questions about legal guardianship and guide you through the process of petitioning for domestic and juvenile guardianship. In addition, we provide quality legal representation that is personalized to meet the unique needs of each client.
Our Columbus Guardianship Services
- Guardianship for Minors: If a child’s parents are unable or unwilling to care for them, a guardian may be appointed to ensure their wellbeing. Our Columbus guardianship attorneys assist clients in navigating the legal process to establish guardianship, ensuring the child's best interests are prioritized.
- Guardianship for Adults: For adults who are incapacitated due to age, illness, or disability, establishing guardianship can be crucial to managing their personal and financial affairs. We help families secure guardianship to protect their loved ones' rights and wellbeing.
- Emergency Guardianship: In urgent situations where immediate action is required to protect an individual's health or safety, our attorneys can expedite the process to obtain emergency guardianship orders.
- Guardianship Termination and Modification: Circumstances can change, necessitating the modification or termination of an existing guardianship. Our Columbus guardianship attorneys guide clients through the legal requirements to ensure the guardianship arrangement remains appropriate and effective.
Case Examples
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Child Support Enforcement Agency’s Payment of Attorney Fees to Our Client
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Custody to Father (Child Relocated from Japan)
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Custody to Unrelated Couple
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Divorce/Business Valuation
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Retrieval of Children Who Had Been Taken from State and Hidden from Father