--- title: Guardianship for Children --- [**Phone:** (773) 983-9117](tel:773-983-9117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302, Glenview, IL 60025 [![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png)](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/home-page?hsLang=en) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-1-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-1-1.jpg) # Guardianship for Children Guardianship proceedings for children are quite different from adult guardianship proceedings.  Anyone under the age of eighteen whose parents or legal guardians are deceased will have a guardian appointed on his or her behalf.  The guardian is responsible for making healthcare decisions as well as financial decisions for the child until he or she reaches the age of eighteen. Anyone under the age of eighteen cannot directly receive assets from a life insurance plan, a retirement plan or a simple will.  The probate court will select a guardian who may be a relative, a family friend or a complete stranger. Guardianship for a minor can also be fairly time consuming and costly, but it terminates when the child turns eighteen.  The guardianship process for minors can be eliminated or simplified if the parents have named a guardian for their children in a [living trust](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/living-trusts/?hsLang=en). However, if there is a legally incapacitated or disabled child, he or she may require a guardian for the rest of his or her life.  In this situation, the parents should consider using a [special needs trust](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/special-needs-trusts/?hsLang=en).  Also, the parents of a disabled minor should prepare to petition the probate court to become the child’s guardian once he or she turns eighteen. ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-3](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-3.jpg) ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ![logo-footer](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-footer.png) **Disclaimer:** None of the information on this website is legal advice. The information is for informational and educational purposes. The information may also be considered marketing or advertising material. #### Sitemap - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Areas Served](https://www.jkelaw.com/areas-served) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) #### Contact Us [(773) 983-9117](tel:7739839117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302 Glenview, IL 60025 #### Follow us [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jacob.ehrensaft.9/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobehrensaft/) [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:sales@jkelaw.com) © 2026 Law Offices of Jacob K. Ehrensaft, LLC All Rights Reserved. Powered By: [OneIMS](https://oneims.com)