Many individuals can potentially qualify as guardians in Tulsa. Typically, the court will aim to arrange guardianship for an extended family member. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings are usually the judge’s first choices for guardianship of a minor. It is also possible for close family friends to assume guardianship roles. If the child has no close kin, guardianship could fall to a foster family.
Tulsa Guardianship Lawyer
Tulsa Guardianship Attorney
When parents are unable or unwilling to care for their children due to substance abuse, mental health issues, or criminal activity, guardianships become necessary. Guardianships often involve grandparents or extended family members, who have placement priority over non-relatives to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. A Tulsa guardianship lawyer at Bundy Law can help your family navigate this difficult type of case with confidence.
At Bundy Law, our experienced guardianship attorneys work closely with extended families to advocate for appropriate placements. We specialize in cases involving complex parental rights issues, interstate and international challenges, and interactions with child welfare agencies.
Choosing Bundy Law for Your Guardianship Case
Our deep understanding of family law and trial experience allows us to navigate even the most contentious guardianship disputes. We collaborate with child welfare representatives and present compelling evidence to support family members’ efforts to care for their young relatives. We’ve successfully represented grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other extended family members across Oklahoma.
More About Guardianships
Guardianship cases arise in many different ways. It’s possible for such a case to come about because a parent has had their parental rights involuntarily terminated due to criminal activity, a mental health condition, or because of a substance abuse disorder. It is also possible for a parent to be made unable to handle parental responsibilities due to other forces beyond their control, such as a severe disabling illness or injury.
It is important to understand the difference between adoption and guardianship as these two family law concepts are often conflated. Adoption grants the adoptive parent the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent and is permanently legally binding. The adopted child would then have the same legal protections and rights as a biological child.
Guardianship, on the other hand, is usually sought as a temporary measure. However, it is possible for a guardian to eventually adopt the child, so it’s possible for guardianship cases to evolve in different ways over time. It is also possible for a parent to contest a proposed guardianship. Regardless of what your case entails, it’s vital to know how to qualify for guardianship and the value of working with experienced legal counsel.
Qualifying for Guardianship in Tulsa
It’s possible for an individual to qualify for guardianship in Tulsa as long as they are of sound mind and have the physical and financial capability to care for the child. They must also be prepared to make a strong argument to the family court as to why guardianship is necessary to protect the child, and a Tulsa guardianship lawyer can assist them with filing their petition.
Guardianship can be assigned as an emergency measure, and it is possible for a guardian to be assigned general guardianship, which gives them legal control over the child and the child’s property, or limited guardianship that places specific limitations on these legal rights. The two most common situations in which guardianship may be assigned are when a child’s parent is unable to care for them or if a mentally incapacitated adult needs a legal guardian.
It is possible for guardianship disputes to arise if the parent still has custody. If the parent has had custody involuntarily terminated and the child’s other parent is unable to assume custody of the child, the court must assign guardianship to whoever is able, willing, and deemed most capable to assume this role.
What to Expect From Your Tulsa Guardianship Lawyer
When you choose Bundy Law to represent you in a guardianship case, you will have access to a responsive and compassionate legal advocate ready to help with every stage of your case. Our firm has helped many past clients fight for guardianship in the Tulsa family court, and we know the many challenges you are likely to encounter as your case progresses.
Guardianship cases can sometimes arise unexpectedly, and if you have encountered any situation in which you believe asserting guardianship is the right thing to do, we can help. It’s important to secure trustworthy legal counsel as quickly as possible for this type of case, so reach out to Bundy Law at your first opportunity to learn more about the legal services we provide.
FAQs
Is Guardianship the Same as Adoption?
No, guardianship is not the same as adoption. In an adoption case, the adoptive parent becomes the full legal parent of the child, assuming all of the rights and responsibilities that a biological parent would have. Guardianship allows the guardian to make major decisions for the child, and they will be responsible for the child’s everyday needs, but guardianship is typically a temporary arrangement, whereas adoption is a permanent legal change.
Why Should I Hire a Tulsa Guardianship Lawyer?
You should hire a Tulsa guardianship lawyer because doing so will make completing the process easier, and you will have a greater chance of securing the guardianship rights you want with an attorney’s help. Your Tulsa guardianship lawyer can assist you with collecting the documentation you need to submit to the court, preparing you for each new stage of your proceedings, and helping you understand your rights and responsibilities as a legal guardian.
Does Guardianship Override Parental Rights in Oklahoma?
No, guardianship does not override parental rights in Oklahoma. However, the court may deem that the guardian is better suited to making important decisions for the child if the court deems this in the child’s best interests. A parent would have the right to contest the guardianship, but they would need to prove that assuming custody would be in the child’s best interests. Your Tulsa guardianship lawyer can explain any such variables in your case.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Tulsa Guardianship Lawyer?
The cost to hire a Tulsa guardianship lawyer depends on the lawyer’s billing policy and the overall complexity of the case. Most family lawyers charge their clients an hourly rate, so the cost of representation increases based on the amount of work the attorney must put into the case. The team at Bundy Law will carefully explain our billing policy at the outset of your case so you know what to expect when it comes to your attorneys’ fees.
Guardianship cases can be tense emotional affairs, and it is important to have experienced legal counsel on your side as you approach any such case in Tulsa. The team at Bundy Law has successfully assisted many past clients with these difficult cases, and we are ready to put this experience to work in your case. Contact us today and schedule your consultation with an experienced Tulsa guardianship lawyer to learn more about how we can assist you.
© 2025 Bundy Law. All Rights Reserved.
Digital Marketing By: 