Legal guardianship refers to the court-granted authority that allows a non-parent adult to care for and have custody of a child. While a will may confer guardianship of minor children to some adult related to the children, in some cases, legal guardianship may be requested by someone who is at least 21 years old and who can prove that there is a need for the court to establish this guardianship.
If you need help requesting (or challenging a request for) legal guardianship in Colorado, trust your case in the hands of the Denver guardianship attorney at Goldman Law, LLC. Skilled at navigating the complexities of the legal system on behalf of his clients, our Denver guardianship lawyer has the experience, legal knowledge and skills necessary to help you resolve your guardianship and custody issues as favorably and efficiently as possible.
Grounds for Requesting Legal Guardianship in Colorado
Some of the specific grounds for requesting legal guardianship in Colorado include (but are not limited to):
- A child being in danger in his home (because, for instance, a parent or other adult in the home is abusing the child)
- A parent seriously neglecting the child and failing to provide basic needs (like food)
- A parent abusing alcohol and/or drugs
- A parent being arrested and/or incarcerated for some period of time.
Children may also make a request to be removed from a parent’s home if they feel like a parent is treating them badly and/or is not meeting their basic needs.
Responsibilities that Come with Legal Guardianship
When a person is ultimately granted legal guardianship in Colorado, by law, that person will have the following responsibilities when it comes to the child in question:
- Providing shelter for the child
- Feeding and clothing the child
- Educating the child
- Providing medical care to keep the child in good health
- Providing the child with emotional care and support
- Taking responsibility if or when the child may damage another person’s property.
The bottom line is that legal guardianship in Colorado will effectively grant a non-parent the right to act as the parent for that child in the eyes of the law.
Who Can Request Legal Guardianship over a Child in Colorado?
The following people can petition the courts to request legal guardianship over a child in Colorado:
- A child’s grandparents
- Aunts and uncles
- Cousins and siblings (as long as these individuals are older than 21 years old)
- Any adult who can demonstrate a close personal relationship with the child.
As with other types of custody cases, what is in the best interests of a child will be the primary consideration; however, the courts will also take the child’s specific preferences into consideration (particularly when a child is 12 years old or older or is deemed to be mature enough by the court).
Denver Guardianship Lawyer at Goldman Law, LLC
Do you need help filing for legal guardianship in Colorado? Or do you need help challenging a petition for legal guardianship over your child? If so, you can trust the Denver guardianship attorney at Goldman Law, LLC to fight for your rights and interests. Always ready to stand up for his clients, our Denver guardianship lawyer has the skills, experience and legal knowledge necessary to resolve guardianship cases and issues as favorably as possible.
To learn more about your rights and receive a professional case evaluation, contact us by calling (303) 656-9529 or by emailing us using the contact form on this page. From our offices in Denver, we serve clients throughout Colorado.
