Guardianship & Adoption Lawyers in Santa Cruz

A guardianship is a court action for choosing someone to be legally responsible for a minor.  A guardian must be chosen by a court.  Most commonly, a guardianship is needed when a minor’s parents are unable to take care of him or her – whether due to a parent’s death or illness, drug, or alcohol issues.  

That type of guardianship is called a “guardianship of the person” because it involves only physical custody and control of a child.  Also, a “guardianship of the estate” of a minor is required to manage a minor’s assets.  For example, if a minor inherits money or other assets that are more than $5,000.00, a parent or other adult will need to request the court to be chosen as the guardian of the estate for that child to control his or her assets until that child reaches the age of 18.

Contact Our Guardianship & Adoption Attorneys

Our attorney, Amy R. Henderson, has extensive experience with guardianships and adoptions, having spent 10 years as a judicial research attorney for the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.  Amy reviewed the paperwork filed in all guardianship matters, researched the issues and law, made proposals to the judges about how they should rule, and attended all guardianship hearings.  Amy also reviewed adoption paperwork, made proposals to the adoption judge, and attended the weekly adoption hearings.