What are the differences between adoption and guardianship?

Adoption and guardianship are two options for providing care for children who are unable to live with their biological parents. In Hawaii, adoption and guardianship provide opportunities for care and permanency, but there are some major differences between the two options. Adoption is a legal process in which a child is permanently placed in the home of an adult who is not the child’s biological parent. This process creates a relationship that is the same as that of a biological parent and child. The adoptive parent has the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent, including making decisions regarding the child’s health care, education, and religion. Guardianship is a legal process in which an adult assumes the responsibility for caring for and protecting a child. A guardianship does not terminate the parental rights of the biological parent and the guardian has fewer rights and responsibilities than a parent or adoptee. A guardian is responsible for providing care and making decisions for the child, but does not have the rights to decide on health care, education, or religion. Both adoption and guardianship are permanent options for providing care and permanency for a child in Hawaii. The major differences between the two are that adoption creates a legal parent-child relationship, while guardianship does not. Adoption also provides the adoptive parent with more rights and responsibilities than a guardian. It is important to consider all of the pros and cons of each option before deciding which is right for a particular child.

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What are the differences between adoption and guardianship?

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