GUARDIANSHIPS

Father vs. foster parents. Mother gave up her child to be fostered by a couple who wanted to adopt a young child. Mother asserted that the father was irresponsible and abandoned the child. Foster parents had the child for two years. Child was age 3. Father claimed that he got no notice of the guardianship petition. Mother and court-appointed minor’s counsel supported the guardianship.

Grandmother secured temporary guardianship over grandchild. Grandmother dies. Grandfather petitions for guardianship of grandchild alleging that his daughter abandoned and neglected the child for years and that grandparents were the care providers of the child for years in daughter’s absence. Daughter now says that she is stable and capable of caring for her child and has remarried.

Multi-family members filed cross-petitions for guardianship of child. Mother gave up the child and three separate petitions were filed by grandparents, aunt, and caretaker of child who mother permitted to informally have physical custody of the child. Minor’s counsel was appointed and a trial of all three petitions was consolidated.