Legal procedures for obtaining guardianship of a child vary from one state to another. People looking for guardianship in Michigan's County of Newaygo, for instance, fill out forms such as "Acceptance of Appointment" and "Petition for Appointment of Limited Guardian of a Minor." "Letters of Authority" is a legal document the court issues to accord guardians full responsibility of a minor upon completing the filing process, which costs $150 in Newaygo.
Taking guardianship of a child involves offering the child physical, legal and emotional protection by ensuring that his basic rights are upheld by the society in accordance to the law. The guardian bears the responsibility of reporting violations such as sexual harassment or physical abuse of the child to relevant authorities. The safety and protection responsibilities also include issues such as safe and reliable transport to school and other public places.
Guardianships involve paying for damages arising from the child's activities. This can be expensive if the child is destructive owing to mental or emotional disorders, because the guardian incurs additional costs in monitoring his behaviors using professional assistance from child psychiatrists and counselors. A guardian is also responsible for the child's daily basic and special needs that include toys, birthday celebrations, and formal and informal educational materials, such as comic books.
Taking guardianship of a child entails accepting supervision appointments, set forth by a judge. The reason for supervision is to ensure that the guardian is offering the child a conducive and less-restrictive living environment and social opportunities. "Annual Report of Guardian on Condition of Minor" is a follow-up form that a guardian fills out annually as part of the supervision procedure.