California Courts: Self-Help Center: Families & Children: Guardianship (Probate Court): Becoming a Guardian of a Child: What happens before the court date?: What does the Court Investigator consider before making a report?

Return to the California Courts home page

Spanish/Español

You are here: Families & Children > Guardianship (Probate Court) > Becoming a Guardian of a Child > What happens before the court date? > What does the Court Investigator consider before making a report?

Before you are appointed as guardian, the Court Investigator wants to know if:

There is a valid need for a guardianship, or if the child should be with the parents.
The case should be referred to another agency, like Social Services.

If the investigator thinks the child needs a guardianship, s/he will look at:

Where the child will live,
Where the child will go to school,
Family situation (including all household members),
Health care issues (including mental health problems), and
Visitation by the parents.

If the child is old enough and mature enough, the Court Investigator may also talk with him/her about the guardianship.

In some cases, the Court Investigator may recommend that the court appoint a lawyer to represent the child. This lawyer would be paid for by the court.

[ Top of Page ]

<< back

Self-Help Home | Ask the Law Librarian | Q&A
Links | Need Legal Help? | Site Map

Last modified: 03/17/2008

About Us | Web Site Feedback
Web Policies | Public Access to Records | Accessibility