Guardianship
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A guardianship is when a non-parent gets legal custody of a child.
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Although the parent’s authority is suspended upon appointment of the guardian, parents retain their rights and may challenge the guardianship in court.
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Guardianship ends when the child turns age 18, marries or becomes legally emancipated.
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If the family moves, a guardianship established in California may not be valid in another state.
Adoption
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The legal act of permanently placing a child with a parent or parents other than the biological mother or father.
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An adoption order has the effect of severing the parental responsibilities and rights of the birth parents and transferring those responsibilities and rights to the adoptive parent(s).
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After the finalization of an adoption, there is no legal difference between adopted children and those born to the parents.