What are the differences between adoption and guardianship?

Adoption and guardianship are two legal processes that grant a person the responsibilities and rights of a parent for a child or minor. However, there are differences between the two. In North Dakota, adoption is a process in which a person has all parental rights and responsibilities for a child, including the right to make decisions about the child’s education, health care, and welfare. The rights of the child’s biological parents are terminated, and a legal relationship between the adoptive parent and child is established. The adoptive parent can be an individual or a married couple. Guardianship is similar to adoption in that it involves the care and responsibility of a minor child. However, in guardianship, the rights of the child’s biological parents are not terminated. Rather, the guardian is responsible for the care and decisions of the child while the parents’ rights remain intact. North Dakota also allows for temporary guardianships, which are valid for up to two years unless otherwise extended by the court. Adoption and guardianship are both legal processes that provide a child with care and support. However, adoption is permanent and results in the termination of the rights of the child’s biological parents, while guardianship is temporary and does not. Regardless of the legal process chosen, it is important to remember that the role of a parent is a vital and valuable one.

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What are the differences between adoption and guardianship?

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