- Relationship break up
- Separation & divorce
- Care of children
- About Family Court
- Family violence
- Relationship property
A guardian is an adult who's responsible for a child’s care, development and upbringing. This means:
When a child is very young, a guardian will make decisions for them about things like:
As the child gets older, the guardian and the child will make decisions together more and more until the child is able to make some decisions on their own.
A guardian appointed by a parent in their will (a testamentary guardian) doesn’t have the right to have the child in their day-to-day care. If they want this, they can apply to the Family Court for a Parenting Order. (‘Parenting Order’ is a legal term. It doesn’t mean only parents can apply.)
Find out more about testamentary guardians
Find out more about Parenting Orders
Guardianship of a child ends: