What is the difference between guardianship and adoption?

The main difference between guardianship and adoption in Ohio is that guardianship is an arrangement that is set up to care for a minor child, while adoption is the legal process of creating a permanent parent-child relationship. Guardianships in Ohio are typically set up to provide financial and parental care when the child’s parents are unable to do so. A guardian is legally responsible for the child’s health, safety, and well-being, and the child remains under the legal custody of their parents. Guardians are typically family members or close friends of the parents, and they may need court approval to become a guardian. Adoption, however, is a legal process in which an adult takes on the permanent responsibility for a minor child. This creates a parent-child bond that cannot be undone. It also transfers legal and financial responsibility for the child from their birth parents, and the adoptive parents become legally responsible for all decisions related to the child’s care. Unlike guardianship, adoption requires court approval. The process can take several months and involve home studies, background checks, financial evaluations, and other legal steps that ensure the best interests of the child. Additionally, once an adoption is finalized, it cannot be undone, and the relationship between the adoptive parent and the child is legally permanent.

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What is the difference between guardianship and adoption?

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