Family & Safety
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Child guardianship
Usually, only a parent of a child has the authority to make decisions about the care of a child. Sometimes, a parent cannot or will not make care decisions for their child. Legal guardianship lets someone that is not a parent make care decisions for a child, just as a parent would. Learn more here.
Learn your rights (1 resources)
Getting guardianship of a child
Explains how to get the legal right to take care of a child if their parent cannot or will not take care of the child.
Guide
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Forms (2 resources)
Standby guardian designation form
Use this form to designate another person to make day-to-day child care decisions for a minor child.
Form link
Minor guardianship discharge
A program to help you ask the court to end someone's guardianship of a child who was previously in your care.
Easy Form
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Other resources for the public (11 resources)
Guardian ad Litem (GAL) basics
Explains what a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is. Includes when they are appointed, how to interact with them, and how they’re different from other guardians.
Text article
Getting guardianship of a child
Explains how to get the legal right to take care of a child if their parent cannot or will not take care of the child.
Guide
Starting a case for guardianship of a minor
Steps to get guardianship of a minor from the forms you need to how the court hearing works.
How-To
Department of Child and Family Services or DCFS guardianship
Explains DCFS's role in the guardianship of a child and how they can get involved in guardianship cases.
Text article
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Lawyer resources (6 resources)
Illinois Parentage Act of 2015
Gives information about the Illinois Parentage Act, and the parent-child relationship.
Lawyer Manuals
Children's law and Illinois Parentage Act
Gives information about Children's law and the Illinois Parentage Act.
Lawyer Manuals
Special Topics involving Children Law
Gives information about various different type of topics associated with children law.
Lawyer Manuals
Estate planning forms and commentary
Explains and provides sample forms for estate planning. Includes: power of attorney for property, Illinois advance health care directives, premarital agreements, and guardianship. 2022 edition.
IICLE
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