Obtaining Guardianship
By Nicole Edwards
Through my experience at the Washburn Law Clinic, I was given the opportunity to assist a client in the process of obtaining guardianship of her two young grandchildren because the children's parents were not in a position to care and provide for them properly. The client was accustomed to living by herself and supporting herself on her limited income; with the children, she had to provide for two more. Despite the financial difficulties, the client was dedicated to providing a great life for these children. The client was in need of legal help to obtain custody of the children through a guardianship proceeding.
Through the legal process, another legal intern and I filed all the necessary documents with the court to initiate the guardianship process. The court appointed an attorney to represent the children. That attorney spoke with the children, conducted her own investigation of the situation, and determined that it was in the best interest of the children to be placed in the custody and care of their grandmother.
At the final hearing, I had to convince the court that my client was a fit and proper person to be awarded guardianship and custody of these children. In order to accomplish this task, I had to put my client on the stand and conduct a direct examination of her. I spent a large amount of time developing and revising a set of questions that would explain the problems with the children's parents and best demonstrate that my client was a fit person to care and provide for these children. Going into the final hearing, I was a bit nervous because I had this amazing and deserving client who was counting on me to obtain guardianship of these children. At the hearing, I was able to convince the court, through the direct examination of my client, that she was the appropriate person to care and provide for the children.
The client and the children were so excited and thankful. The client had tears in her eyes and gave me a big hug in appreciation of my help. I was so moved and touched that what I had done had such a profound effect on the client.
Every passing day is one that is gone forever. Make sure it is one in which you have done something for others, especially those who cannot do for themselves.
