Juveniles

questions & answers

Question: If i live in Oklahoma, can i get guardianship of a child in Arizona foster care?

Answer: The following is provided as general information only and should not be taken to be legal advice. To determine how the law applies to your specific situation, you may wish to consult an attorney directly. Guardianship can be incredibly complex and it would be advisable to consult an attorney. According to A.R.S. 8-871, a court can establish permanent guardianship of a child and the guardian if the child has been adjudicated a dependent, has been in the custody of the guardian for at least nine months (this can be waived for good reason); efforts have been made to reunite the child with his or her parents; and the likelihood of adoption of the child is remote. Any adult may be considered, including a relative or foster parent. A motion for permanent guardianship must be filed in a court that has jurisdiction over the child; generally this is where the child has lived for the proceeding six months. Again, this process can be extremely complex and it is advisable to consult an attorney.