You’ll have a lot to arrange when your child may be going into temporary custody. For example, you should get an online temporary custody form template that clearly sets everything out. Here are the main points to think about before you put your child in a custody arrangement.
The Child’s Ideal Interests
Temporary custody is all about your child and what they need. Sometimes, this could even be at odds with what they want. Squaring this circle could be the most difficult consideration of all.
You need to ask how this arrangement will affect your child. This might depend on your specific situation. Will you be staying in the hospital for a while? It may be best to choose someone close to you. That way, your child can visit — and they hopefully won’t worry as much.
Stability is key when making sure the child’s okay with this arrangement. Consider how much of their usual routine will stay intact during the temporary custody. Could they still attend the same school? Or will they be in another school district?
Make sure your child knows this isn’t forever and that you’ll be back. This might be the only way they’ll be comfortable with it.
Specific Custody Terms
The right agreement lets you set out clear custody terms. These alone can be a big decision.
Do you know for sure when you’ll return? You’ll have to set an exact start date at a minimum. You could save the end date until you have more information. However, you may have to petition the court to release the agreement.
Guardians can generally make the child’s education and emergency healthcare decisions. This is important for serious situations; you won’t always be available to agree to these. Surgeries and long-term treatment plans might require your consent regardless, however.
Your situation will again affect how much is in your control. Some custody arrangements transfer full decision-making to the guardian by default. A judge might even need to sign off on the final decision.
Staying Within the Law
The guardianship document itself should be one of your biggest priorities. Even a small mistake here could leave your child in legal limbo. Use a pre-made template to make sure every field is already there. This shows what you need for a legally binding setup.
You have to make sure the document is fair as well as legally sound. These two factors might be one and the same. Courts can supersede arrangements that are demonstrably unfair. You must use a template that fits your state — every part of the US handles custody in its own way.
All states except Massachusetts follow the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. This stipulates that custody issues must stay within a child’s home state. Keep this in mind if your child might be crossing state lines for temporary custody.
Parental Rights and Responsibilities
Are you and the child’s other parent both making this decision? If not, what rights does the other parent have in this situation? Do you two share joint custody in normal circumstances? In these situations, consider if the other parent can take your child full-time.
This might not work for a number of reasons, however. You should still make sure you and your co-parent have visitation rights wherever appropriate. This usually isn’t an issue when you leave them with another family member.
Will you still be financially responsible for your child? If so, you should already have savings set aside for this. This must be enough for the child’s basic needs. In any situation, open and honest communication with the guardian will help you fulfill every obligation.
The Guardian’s Own Situation
You might only have a few family members who can reasonably take care of your child. You still need to think about if they’ll be suitable. Are they competent and responsible enough, or do they struggle to look after themselves? Again, you need to keep the child’s well-being in mind.
You’ll also have to ask if the guardian would want this. Their life situation might simply not have room for a child — even a teenager with growing independence. The guardian will ideally be somebody your child already has a relationship with. This bond can help with the arrangement’s teething pains.
You can’t always leave your child with the closest family member. You may have to enlist one of your friends or a foster family. The court might also appoint a guardian on your behalf. Above all else, your child needs to be in a safe environment.
Conclusion
Temporary custody arrangements bring up a lot of questions and considerations before you can move forward. A pre-made guardianship template is sure to help by setting out every main legal requirement. This is the only way to ensure your child ends up in a situation that fits their needs.