San Diego Guardianship Lawyers

When a child needs a stable adult to step into a larger caregiving role, informal family arrangements may not provide the legal authority needed to make important decisions. Questions about school, medical care, housing, or a child's financial interests can make the situation more complicated. Our guardianship lawyers in San Diego can help. 

Minella Law Group, APC has served the Greater San Diego Area since 2014, and our bilingual attorneys offer free consultations. Call (619) 821-2313 today.

When a Child May Need a Guardian 

Families consider guardianship for many different reasons. A parent may be temporarily or permanently unable to provide appropriate care because of illness, incarceration, military deployment, substance-related issues, or other difficult circumstances. In other situations, a grandparent, other relative, or trusted family friend may already be caring for a child and need legal authority to make important decisions on the child's behalf.

Helping raise a child and having a legally recognized authority are not necessarily the same thing. A guardianship can provide a legal framework for a responsible adult to take on specific duties involving a child's care and well-being.

California recognizes different types of guardianship: 

• A guardianship of the person generally concerns responsibility for child custody and important decisions involving matters such as housing, education, and medical needs.
• A guardianship of the estate addresses the management of property or financial assets belonging to a child.