What is a guardianship for a child?

A guardianship for a child in Virginia is a legal arrangement that grants an adult (referred to as the guardian) the authority to make decisions on behalf of a minor (referred to as the ward). This can include decisions regarding the ward’s education, health care, finances, and other important matters. A guardian may be assigned to the child by a Virginia court or may be named in a will or trust. In most cases, guardianship may be either temporary or permanent, depending on the individual situation. Temporary guardianship may be granted if there is a need to assign an adult to make decisions for a short period of time, such as if a parent is deployed overseas or in the hospital for an extended period of time. Permanent guardianship may be instituted if the court finds that it is necessary for a minor to have an adult to continue making decisions on the child’s behalf until the minor reaches the age of 18. In the case of a permanent guardianship, the guardian must meet certain criteria set out by the Virginia court, such as being of good moral character and having the financial means to support the ward. The guardian must also comply with any and all reporting requirements imposed by the court. Once established, the guardian may make any decisions on the ward’s behalf that are in the best interests of the child. This includes matters such as enrolling the child in school, consenting to medical treatment, or managing the child’s finances. The guardian must also keep the court informed of any major changes or decisions made for the ward.

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