What is the difference between guardianship and adoption?

The main difference between guardianship and adoption is the legal rights of the guardian and the adoptive parent. In guardianship, an adult is appointed by the court to be responsible for the care of a minor or an incapacitated person. The guardian is generally responsible for providing the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter, and making sure the minor or incapacitated person receives an education and receives necessary medical care. The guardian also makes decisions on behalf of the minor or incapacitated person and is responsible for their wellbeing. Adoption, on the other hand, is a legal process whereby a person or persons become the legal and permanent parent of a child who is not their own. The adoptive parent has the same legal rights and responsibilities as the child’s birth parents, including the responsibility for providing for the child’s physical and emotional needs. The adoptive parent is also responsible for making all decisions regarding the child and has the legal right to determine where the child lives and what type of education the child will receive. In summary, guardianship is a legal arrangement where an adult is appointed by the court to care for a minor or an incapacitated person, while adoption is the legal process of becoming a legal and permanent parent of a child who is not your own.

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