Los Angeles
Guardianship Attorney
Temporary and permanent guardianship solutions across Los Angeles County
When a child you love isn’t getting the care they need, someone has to act. That someone might be you.
Maybe you’re a grandparent who sees the cracks getting wider. A sibling who knows what’s happening behind closed doors. A friend or relative who’s already stepped in more than once. Or maybe you’re the parent making the difficult, selfless decision to ask for help.
Sometimes it’s an illness. Sometimes it’s addiction, mental health, deployment, incarceration, personal struggles, or a job that leaves no time to give a child the attention they deserve. At other times, it’s a chance to provide the child with greater stability, better educational options, or financial support they wouldn’t otherwise have.
This is where legal guardianship comes in.
Led by a Certified Family Law Specialist, our guardianship attorneys assist individuals in taking the necessary legal steps to care for a child when their parent is unable to do so.
When guardianship is in place, a child has what they need: a safe home, an adult who can make decisions, and a support system that doesn’t depend on chance.
When I came to Al, I was scared and didn’t know anything about child or spousal support but he explained everything and guided me step by step. In the end, I got exactly the support I needed, and there have been no problems since.
Los Angeles Lawyers for Legal Guardianship
At Provinziano & Associates, we work with grandparents, siblings, relatives, and trusted caregivers across Los Angeles who recognize when a child needs more than love—they need legal protection.
Some families come together quickly. Everyone agrees that guardianship is the right choice, and parents may even initiate the process themselves.
Other cases are more complex. A parent may resist the idea. Multiple family members may seek guardianship at once. Or someone may raise serious concerns about the child’s care or the suitability of a proposed guardian.
Whether you’re pursuing a voluntary guardianship with the support of the child’s parents or navigating a contested case involving opposing parties, our attorneys are here to clearly present your position and advocate for an outcome that reflects your relationship with the child and supports their well-being.
Understanding Guardianship in California
Under California law, specifically Probate Code Section 1510 and related statutes, guardianship provides a legal way for someone other than a parent to take on responsibility for a minor when the parents are unable to provide proper care.
Unlike adoption, guardianship does not permanently sever the parent-child relationship. Instead, it creates a legal framework that transfers certain rights and responsibilities to the guardian, while still leaving the door open for reunification if circumstances improve.
Guardianship can include authority over the child’s daily care and decisions (guardianship of the person), responsibility for managing the child’s finances (guardianship of the estate), or both. In some cases, one person may serve in both roles; in others, the court may appoint separate guardians to handle each responsibility.
Though some guardianships are meant to stabilize short-term crises, many continue for years, lasting until the child turns 18, unless the court finds it appropriate to end or modify the arrangement earlier.
Who Can Seek Guardianship
California allows various caring individuals to petition for guardianship when a child’s welfare requires additional support:
The court may appoint guardians in both voluntary and contested situations, and many types of individuals may qualify, including:
- Grandparents stepping in during a parent’s illness, absence, or personal crisis
- Adult siblings, aunts, or uncles who can offer a stable and familiar environment
- Relatives living out of state who can provide long-term care, schooling, or financial security
- Close family friends with a long-standing, meaningful relationship to the child
- Trusted community members who’ve become a consistent, supportive presence in the child’s life
- Any responsible adult who can show that guardianship serves the child’s best interests and that they are capable of meeting their needs.
The court also reviews the potential guardian’s background, including any criminal history, and determines whether the person can truly provide a safe and stable environment.
How Guardianship Affects Parental Rights
Guardianship doesn’t end a parent’s rights; it temporarily shifts day-to-day decision-making to someone else when the parent cannot provide care. In most cases, parents can still maintain contact with their child through visitation, unless the court finds that contact would be harmful.
Parents can petition the court to end or modify the guardianship if their situation improves. Courts consider the parent-child relationship and, above all, the child’s best interests when deciding on reunification with the parent.
During the guardianship, parents may remain responsible for child support if the court orders it. Support is not ordered in every guardianship case, but the court can require it when needed under California law.
Guardianship recognizes that loving parents may need help during difficult times—while keeping the door open for reunification and preserving the emotional bond between parent and child.
How Our Los Angeles Guardianship Lawyers Help You
Guardianship cases are won with strong preparation, clear documentation, and a compelling case for both why the child needs support and why you’re the right person to provide it. Every detail matters, from how the story is told to how the evidence is presented.
We help you prepare every step of the way so the court sees not just the need, but your commitment and capacity to meet it.
If you’re contesting a guardianship, the court needs more than disagreement; it needs facts, context, and a clear concern for the child’s well-being.
Whether you’re questioning a proposed guardian’s fitness or offering a better alternative, we help you build a case that gives the court reason to reconsider and puts the child’s true needs at the center of the conversation.
Here’s what we help with:
Establishing Guardianship
We assist grandparents, relatives, and trusted caregivers in pursuing emergency, temporary, and long-term guardianship.
Our attorneys prepare and file your petition, ensure all notice requirements are met, and help you present a clear, credible case.
Our guardianship litigation attorneys work closely with you to explain why guardianship is necessary, demonstrate your ability to meet the child’s needs, and address any concerns the court may have about stability, home environment, or long-term planning. If required, we help you prepare for home studies and coordinate supporting documentation.
Challenging Guardianship
When a proposed guardianship doesn’t serve the child’s best interests, or you believe you’re better suited to provide care, we present your side of the story.
This may involve contesting a guardian’s fitness, presenting an alternative care plan, or defending your parental rights.
We evaluate the legal filings, gather evidence, and advocate for an arrangement that reflects the child’s needs and your involvement in their life. Whether you’re a parent, relative, or another concerned party, we help you present your side as effectively as possible.
Modifying and Terminating Guardianship
Guardianship doesn’t always stay the same. We help families respond to changing circumstances, whether that means returning full legal rights to a parent, changing who serves as guardian, or adjusting the terms of the arrangement.
If the guardian’s situation has changed, the child is nearing adulthood, or reunification is appropriate, we guide you through the legal process to update or terminate the order.
Our team ensures your request is documented properly and presented with the clarity the court expects.
Joint Legal Guardianship
In some cases, more than one person may be the right choice to share responsibility for a child. We help clients pursue or respond to joint legal guardianship arrangements, where two guardians are appointed to share decision-making authority.
However, courts are cautious about granting joint guardianship unless there is strong evidence that both guardians can cooperate and always act in the child’s best interests.
Whether you’re petitioning alongside a co-guardian or involved in a case where joint guardianship has been proposed, we prepare filings that clarify roles and demonstrate how the arrangement supports the child’s stability.
The Provinziano & Associates Difference
We Treat Your Personal Life With the Discretion It Deserves
Guardianship cases often involve sensitive family history, private struggles, or vulnerable moments. While some filings are public by law, we take every measure possible to maintain discretion. From how we file documents to how we communicate with the court and other parties, your privacy remains a priority throughout the process.
We Help You Prepare for What’s Ahead
Whether you’re petitioning for guardianship or responding to someone else’s filing, we help you plan for every step. That includes preparing legal notices, organizing supporting documentation, responding to home study requests if required, and addressing court concerns before they are raised. Guardianship cases move through very specific legal stages; we help you stay ahead of each one.
We Don’t Just Hear You, We Speak Your Language
When your role in a child’s life is on the line, clarity matters. Our team ensures nothing gets lost in translation. While English is our primary language, we have multilingual staff and support systems in place. If you prefer to communicate in a language other than English, reach out to ask if we can support your native language.
Litigation When the Stakes Are Too High for Compromise
Some guardianship cases resolve through cooperation. Others do not. When the outcome depends on what a judge sees and hears in court, we come prepared. Our guardianship litigation attorneys bring extensive courtroom experience to contested guardianship matters, presenting facts clearly and advocating firmly for the child’s well-being.
The Child’s Well-Being Guides Every Legal Strategy
Everything we do, how we frame your case, what evidence we present, and which arguments we emphasize centers on the child’s safety, care, and future. Courts want to see that decisions are being made for the right reasons. We help ensure your case reflects that from start to finish.
What Our Clients Say
Are You Ready for a Private, No-Cost Case Evaluation?
With a deep understanding of California family law and over a decade of experience, we’ve successfully resolved every situation imaginable.
Here's How Our Guardianship Law Firm Works With You
Schedule a Private Case Evaluation
We listen first. You’ll share what’s happening, whether you’re seeking to establish guardianship, have concerns about a proposed arrangement, face an urgent situation, or need to modify an existing order.
After you hire us: Develop your comprehensive legal strategy
Once we’re working together, we examine every aspect of your situation, including the child’s current needs, family relationships, your qualifications and resources, and what evidence will help the court understand why your proposed arrangement serves the child’s best interests.
From petition preparation to court representation, every action serves your goal
Whether we’re filing initial paperwork or preparing for complex hearings, every step builds toward establishing the legal framework that provides security for the child and clarity for your family.
Serving Families Across Los Angeles in Guardianship Matters
At Provinziano & Associates, we represent individuals throughout Los Angeles County who are stepping in to care for a child through legal guardianship. Whether you’re seeking a voluntary guardianship, navigating a contested case, or exploring a joint guardianship arrangement, our team brings clarity and experience to a deeply personal legal process.
We assist with emergency guardianships when urgent intervention is needed to protect a child’s safety, as well as temporary and long-term arrangements that ensure consistent care while the court determines a more permanent solution. Every petition we file is tailored to the unique circumstances of the child’s life and your relationship to them.
Our attorneys have successfully handled guardianship cases in communities across Los Angeles, including Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Van Nuys, Torrance, and their surrounding neighbourhoods.
Whether you’re responding to an unexpected crisis or planning for long-term care, we help you take the right legal steps to support a child who needs you.
When It’s All on the Line, This Is Who Leads the Room
Alphonse Provinziano
Managing Partner & Senior Trial Attorney
With over 2,000 cases and more than 220 trials behind him, Alphonse Provinziano is one of California’s most trusted authorities in complex divorce, custody,
support, and property matters.
- A Former Prosecutor
- Certified Family Law Specialist
- Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
He brings extensive courtroom experience and strategic depth to every high-stakes family law case.
Respected by peers, sought after by clients, and featured in national media, Alphonse also teaches and presents to top family law attorneys across the U.S. and beyond.
Featured in: Bloomberg Law, People, Fortune, Insider, Fast Company, Newsweek, LA Times, The Mirror, and more.
Meet Alphonse Provinziano
Meet
Alphonse Provinziano
Managing Partner & Senior Trial Attorney
Featured in: Bloomberg Law, People, Fortune, Insider, Fast Company, Newsweek, LA Times, The Mirror, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guardianship in California
How Long Does Permanent Guardianship Last in California?
How Long Does Temporary Guardianship Last in California?
Temporary guardianship usually lasts until the next scheduled court hearing or until the judge makes a permanent guardianship decision. It is designed as a short-term solution for urgent situations.
How Hard Is It to Terminate Guardianship in California?
Terminating guardianship in California is possible, but the court requires proof that ending guardianship serves the child’s best interest. Parents typically must show that circumstances have changed or that the original issue that led to guardianship has been resolved.
The law allows for modifications or termination when the situation truly improves and reunification would be in the best interest of the child. (See California Probate Code §1601.)
Does Guardianship Override Parental Rights in California?
What Is the Difference Between Guardianship and Conservatorship in California?
Guardianship applies to minors, giving someone legal authority to care for a child. Conservatorship applies to adults who cannot manage their own personal or financial matters, often due to disability, illness, or age.
Can You Get Guardianship of Someone in Another State?
Yes, but the process is complex. Guardianship laws vary by state, and California courts may need to coordinate with the child’s home state under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).
This may require special filings or recognition of a California guardianship order in the other state, and it depends on where the child has lived for the prior six months. A lawyer can guide you through interstate petitions and help with the recognition of court orders between states.
What Is Proof of Legal Guardianship in California?
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