questions & answers

Question: My sister gave my husband and I power of attorney over her son when he was a month old because she had several outstanding warrants including one for failure to pay child support for her other two children. She turned herself in and was out in about a month she asked for baby back and complied, about a week later she was incarcerated again. We got the baby he was 3 months he will be turning 2 soon she was recently released from prison and has only had contact with him twice. She wants to take him with her but she does not have a job or her own place. What can I do to keep her from taking him.

Answer: Under A.R.S. § 8-871 a person may file for permanent guardianship of a child under certain circumstances. Information regarding the procedure for filing a motion for permanent guardianship can be found under A.R.S. § 8-872. One can find out more information on guardianship, the process for guardianship and the necessary forms through the local Superior Court. For Maricopa County, one can view the appropriate documents on the court's website (http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/JuvenileCourt/guardianship.asp). To find out how the law applies to a specific situation, contact an attorney directly.