Guardianship of a minor child is a court process which gives a person or agency an authority to take responsibility for the care of the minor child. A child in needs of a guardian when his parents are died, or in the cases when child is not receiving adequate care or is being abused. Guardianship does not terminate the legal relationship between biological parents and the child. Petition for guardianship can be filed by an adult relative, a family friend, a child- protective agency , or a person over 14 years age old and court will appoint them as a guardian or standby guardian of a child. Guardianship of a child normally is filed in the Family Court. The Surrogate and/or County Court has the power over the property of a child and is authorized to appoint the guardian of a person and/or property.
