Legal Papers For Caring For A Friends Baby For 3 Weeks?

Question

I need to know legally, what I need to watch my friends baby for 3 weeks at my home, she will be in a different state..If I dont have anything saying I am watching her and she had to go to the hospital, would she be taken away? Her Baby is 7 months old.

Answer 1

You need a letter stating that you are the temporary guardian of this child until the mother returns, and that you have permission to seek medical help for the child during that time. Get it notarized too. A bank can do that.
Have her fax or drop off a copy to the doctor's office prior to leaving so that they can put it in the baby's file.

Answer 2

I don't know what state you are in - but I would recommend checking with a local family law attorney (that's a lawyer who specializes in all types of family issues, including the one you're facing which is a short-term/temporary custody issue).
You want to get a temporary guardianship form, or medical surrogate form - which is basically like a permission slip whereby the mother gives you permission to do everything which she could legally do for her child while she is out of town.
While it's been suggested by another answer that you can get this form from the pediatrician, and you may be able to, I would not trust that it's legally sufficient for something more than obtaining routine medical services from that particular pediatrician's office when what you want is something giving you broader discretion.

Answer 3

You'll need something really solid authorizing you to act in lieu of the parents in a hospital situation. Some form of 'power of attorney' [not sure if this applies with babies or not] ...and speaking of, TALK to a real attorney about this before starting your gig. A signed authorization from mom, witnessed etc., might work - but each county, state, province, whatever, may have different regs on this sort of stuff, and you might need more than just a signed letter. Get expert advice on this one, OK?

Answer 4

Your friend needs to sign a medical consent form. That way if you did have to take the baby to the emergency room you could consent to medical treatment. It would also be a good idea for you to have a copy of the baby's insurance card and any relevant medical history. She can just type up a letter that states that she gives you permission to seek emergency medical treatment for her child from this date until that date, and then sign it. It is very helpful to do that. I know my mom has had to take my nephew to the ER before when he was here visiting her and she was very glad that my sister had given her a consent form.

Answer 5

The parent has to see her pediatrician to get a release form which states that in an emergency, the baby can be seen by a doctor/hospital etc in the event of an emergency- otherwise they will not treat her.- not unless it is life threatening.

Get the telephone numbers of the ped., copies of all medical insurance, and anything the baby is allergic to, etc.

Answer 6

You will need a paper signed by her and witnessed that the child is in your care while she is out of state. You are the guardian of this child. I would get it notarized. So if you have to take the child to Dr or Er, you have the right to give permission to treat.I would also make sure you have the child's birth certificate and insurance and or medical info. Know the child's Dr

Answer 7

I think your friend needs a release from the pedi stating that incase the child needs medical care, you can bring him/her in. Also it wouldnt hurt to have a letter from your friend stating that you have her permission to take care of her child from XXX date until XXX date, and if possible, a contact number for the mother. I am not sure if there are other things, have her ask her pedi.