Can a minor choose their own guardian?
In California, minors are not legally allowed to choose their own guardian. A guardian of the person is someone appointed by the court to make decisions for a minor child, typically in the event that their biological parents are unable to do so. This guardian can be chosen by the court, and is usually someone close to the family such as a family friend or relative, or a public guardian if none can be found. In some cases, the parents can nominate someone to be the guardian. In other cases, the court can appoint someone to serve as a guardian who is not chosen by the family. The minor’s wishes and preferences can be taken into account by the court when choosing a guardian, but the court will ultimately make the decision. In some cases, the court may even interview the minor child in order to decide who the best guardian would be. While minors cannot choose their guardians in California, they may have a say in their guardians. Entry of Appearance forms can be filled out by a minor that state that the minor agrees with the guardianship that has been chosen. It is important to remember that this is not the same as a minor being able to choose their own guardian.
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