Indiana law strongly reflects the belief that a child should be with their parents if possible. However, there is a legal process that has been established to transfer the child’s guardianship to another adult if this is determined to be in the best interest of the child. If you are to gain guardianship of a child, it must be clearly shown that their biological parents are unable to provide acceptable care. While many court-appointed child guardians are the grandparents or other relatives of the protected person, it is possible to be appointed the guardian of a child who is not a close relation.
Your Indiana guardianship lawyer can join you at a court hearing where it will be determined if you are to be granted guardianship of the child in question. Of the many things that are considered by the court in making its decision, some of them include:
Your background and well-being
Whether the biological parent has abandoned the child
Conditions at the child’s current home
If the biological parent is in prison
If the child’s home currently allows for healthy emotional and physical development