The court appoints a guardian for a child. This happens when the parents are unable or unwilling to look after the child. The parents then often lose custody.
A guardian is also appointed if both parents die. Or if one parent has custody and that parent dies.
A guardian is also appointed if it is not known who the child's parents are.
A person, an association or the youth welfare office can become a guardian.
The Youth Welfare Office automatically becomes guardian if a minor unmarried mother has a child. This does not apply if the father is of legal age, paternity is established before the birth and the parents have declared joint custody. This guardianship ends when the mother comes of age. There are other rules as to when guardianship does or does not apply. Information on this can be obtained from the youth welfare office.
Instead of a guardianship, there can also be a guardianship. A guardianship only regulates some areas of guardianship, for example where the child lives and health care.
Tasks of the guardian:
The guardian represents the child in legal matters. They submit applications to the authorities. He files lawsuits. Gives consent for operations. They manage the child's assets. The guardian decides where the child lives. He decides which school the child attends.
