my mom passed away when i was 8 so my sister has been my legal guardian since now ,im 19 now.
what does this mean
2006-06-22 14:16:44 · 12 answers · asked by lovesugarkisses 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
This person was appointed legally to take care of you, and provide for all of your physical (i.e., housing, clothing, food, educational, medical, etc) needs. This person makes all legal decisions and can be held legally responsible for all of your actions until you reach the age of consent (18).
Now that you're 19, she is no longer legally responsible for you (just as your birth parents would no longer be responsible for you in any way).
2006-06-22 14:21:53 · answer #1 · answered by Brutally Honest 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legal guardian
A legal guardian is a person who has the legal authority (and the corresponding duty) to care for the personal and property interests of another person, called a ward. Usually, a person has the status of guardian because the ward is incapable of caring for his or her own interests due to infancy, incapacity, or disability. Most countries and states have laws that provide that the parents of a minor child are the legal guardians of that child, and that the parents can designate who shall become the child's legal guardian in the event of their death.
Courts generally have the power to appoint a guardian for an individual in need of special protection. A guardian with responsibility for both the personal well-being and the financial interests of the ward is a general guardian. A person may also be appointed as a special guardian, having limited powers over the interests of the ward. A special guardian may, for example, be given the legal right to determine the disposition of the ward's property without being given any authority over the ward's person. A guardian appointed to represent the interests of a person with respect to a single action in litigation is a guardian ad litem (which translated from Latin means "guardian for the proceeding").
Guardians ad litem are often appointed in divorce cases to represent the interests of the minor children. The kinds of people appointed as a guardian ad litem vary by state, ranging from volunteers to social workers to regular attorneys. The two divorcing parents are usually responsible for paying the fees of the guardian ad litem, even though the guardian ad litem is not responsible to them at all. The guardian ad litem's only job is to represent the minor children's best interests.
Guardians ad litem are also appointed in cases where there has been an allegation of abuse, neglect or dependency. In these situations, the guardian ad litem is charged to represent the best interest of the minor child which can differ from the position of the state or government agency as well as the interest of the parent or guardian. These guardians ad litem vary by jurisdiction and can be volunteers or attorneys.
Guardians ad litem are also sometimes appointed in probate matters to represent the interests of unknown or unlocated heirs to an estate.
A guardian is a fiduciary and is held to a very high standard of care in exercising his powers. If the ward owns substantial property the guardian may be required to give a surety bond to protect the ward in the event that dishonesty or incompetence on his part causes financial loss to the ward.
In some jurisdictions a legal guardian is called a conservator or custodian.
2006-06-22 22:25:27 · answer #2 · answered by allyally14 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A legal gaurdian is an adult who has been court appointed to look out for the rights of and care of a minor child.
2006-06-22 23:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that your sister was responsible for you until you turned 18. So that means since your19 now your on your own kiddo. Go live life the way you want to. She can't boss you around anymore.
2006-06-22 21:24:16 · answer #4 · answered by unicornfarie1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means the courts granted her legal guardianship of you. (i.e. they sort of made her your "mother", so to speak) She was responsible for raising you, taking care of you, feeding you, making sure you went to school, etc. Since you're considered an adult now, she's no longer your guardian (unless you're mentally disabled, in that case, she might still be). It's not only kids who are appointed guardians. For instance, my mother in law and her husband have legal guardianship of my grandfather. He's sort of unable to take care of himself, so they're to see to it that he gets to the doctor, they handle his finances, feed him, etc.
2006-06-22 21:32:45 · answer #5 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means that until you are 18 that person has legal responsibility of you and your actions.
2006-06-22 21:45:42 · answer #6 · answered by evie_cooper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A gaurdian is someone that acts as a parent.
2006-06-22 21:21:22 · answer #7 · answered by lori 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that she is responsible for you and type of legal stuff she is the one who can do it for you
2006-06-29 16:13:54 · answer #8 · answered by Yissel s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means you have a parent or some one who has custody of you
2006-06-30 12:32:34 · answer #9 · answered by heaven k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
means your in her care as you would be in your moms had she been alive.
2006-06-22 22:55:36 · answer #10 · answered by nena102800 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋