GC-248 ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY (Name, state bar number, and address): FOR COURT USE ONLY TELEPHONE NO.: E­MAIL ADDRESS (Optional): ATTORNEY FOR (Name): FAX NO. (Optional): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF STREET ADDRESS: MAILING ADDRESS: CITY AND ZIP CODE: BRANCH NAME: GUARDIANSHIP OF THE OF (Name): PERSON ESTATE MINOR CASE NUMBER: DUTIES OF GUARDIAN and Acknowledgment of Receipt DUTIES OF GUARDIAN When you are appointed by the court as a guardian of a minor, you become an officer of the court and assume certain duties and obligations. An attorney is best qualified to advise you about these matters. You should clearly understand the information on this form. You will find additional information in the Guardianship Pamphlet (for Guardianships of Children in the Probate Court) (Form GC-205), which is available from the court. 1. GUARDIANSHIP OF THE PERSON If the probate court appoints you as a guardian of the person for a child, you will be required to assume important duties and obligations. a. Fundamental responsibilities - The guardian of the person of a child has the care, custody, and control of the child. As guardian, you are responsible for providing for food, clothing, shelter, education, and all the medical and dental needs of the child. You must provide for the safety, protection, and physical and emotional growth of the child. Custody - As guardian of the person of the child, you have full legal and physical custody of the child and are responsible for all decisions relating to the child. The child's parents can no longer make decisions for the child while there is a guardianship. The parents' rights are suspended--not terminated--as long as a guardian is appointed for a minor. Education - As guardian of the person of the child, you are responsible for the child's education. You determine where the child should attend school. As the child's advocate within the school system, you should attend conferences and play an active role in the child's education. For younger children, you may want to consider enrolling the child in Head Start or other similar programs. For older children, you should consider their future educational needs such as college or a specialized school. You must assist the child in obtaining services if the child has special educational needs. You should help the child in setting and attaining his or her educational goals. Residence - As guardian, you have the right to determine where the child lives. The child will normally live with you, but when it is necessary, you are allowed to make other arrangements if it is in the best interest of the child. You should obtain court approval before placing the child back with his or her parents. As guardian, you do not have the right to change the child's residence to a place outside of California unless you first receive the court's permission. If the court grants permission, California law requires that you establish legal guardianship in the state where the child will be living. Individual states have different rules regarding guardianships. You should seek additional information about guardianships in the state where you want the child to live. b. c. d. (Continued on reverse) Form Adopted for Mandatory Use Judicial Council of California GC-248 [New January 1, 2001] DUTIES OF GUARDIAN (Probate) Page one of five 2001 © American LegalNet, Inc. GC-248 GUARDIAN OF (Name): MINOR CASE NUMBER: e. Medical treatment - As guardian, you are responsible for meeting the medical needs of the child. In most cases, you have the authority to consent to the child's medical treatment. However, if the child is 14 years or older, surgery may not be performed on the child unless either (1) both the child and the guardian consent or (2) a court order is obtained that specifically authorizes the surgery. This holds true except in emergencies. A guardian may not place a child involuntarily in a mental health treatment facility under a probate guardianship. A mental health conservatorship proceeding is required for such an involuntary commitment. However, the guardian may secure counseling and other necessary mental health services for the child. The law also allows older and more mature children to consent to their own treatment in certain situations such as outpatient mental health treatment, medical care related to pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, and drug and alcohol treatment. Community resources - There are agencies in each county that may be helpful in meeting the specific needs of children who come from conflicted, troubled, or deprived environments. If the child has special needs, you must strive to meet those needs or secure appropriate services. Financial support - Even when the child has a guardian, the parents are still obligated to financially support the child. The guardian may take action to obtain child support. The child may also be eligible for Temporary Aid for Needy Families, TANF (formerly known as AFDC), social security benefits, Veterans Administration benefits, Indian child welfare benefits, and other public or private funds. Visitation - The court may require that you allow visitation or contact between the child and his or her parents. The child's needs often require that the parent-child relationship be maintained, within reason. However, the court may place restrictions on the visits, such as the requirement of supervision. The court may also impose other conditions in the child's best interest. Driver's license - As guardian of the person, you have the authority to consent to the minor's application for a driver's license. If you consent, you will become liable for any civil damages that may result if the minor causes an accident. The law requires that anyone signing the DMV application obtain insurance to cover the minor. Enlistment in the armed services - The guardian may consent to a minor's enlistment in the armed services. If the minor enters into active duty with the armed forces, the minor becomes emancipated under California law. Marriage - For the minor to marry, the guardian and the court must give permission. If the minor enters a valid marriage, the minor becomes emancipated under California law. Change of address - A guardian must notify the court in writing of any change in the address of either the child or the guardian. This includes any changes that result from the child's leaving the guardian's home or returning to the parent's home. You must always obtain c