Guardianship of Minors
The LAS Guardianship program is designed to assist Alameda County residents who are caring for someone else’s minor child in their homes. Our clients are usually grandparents or other relatives. Thanks to their dedication, children, many of whom are victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment by their parents, can stay within their own families instead of becoming wards of Court and being placed in foster care.
Many of our clients have very limited resources. Often there is ongoing concern that an unstable parent will remove the minor from the caregivers’ home. The caregivers need the legal authority of a guardianship to provide a stable, healthy environment and to access needed financial and social support.
LAS staff assists seniors in:
- Legal advice on guardianship and guardianship alternatives, such as caregiver affidavits.
- Representation by a staff attorney of guardianship petitioners in probate court. Clients must be:
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- Alameda County residents
- Age 50 or older (unless referred through Child Protective Services’ diversion program)
- Currently caring for a minor child or children in their home.
- Assistance, without court representation, to self-represented individuals of any age who are participants in an Alameda County guardianship proceeding.
- Advice and referrals to other agencies for social services and financial support.
- Community education about guardianship and guardianship alternatives.
Contact us for more information and assistance. Or find out how you can get involved.
