Jamie Lemon

I agree here
When I was 15 (or 16yo) My parents sent me to live with my Aunt in a
different state to attend school (my school at the time had a series of
beatings and rapes in the hallways during class time, truly terrifying!) My
Aunt contacted a family friend (lawyer) that drew up simple guardianship
papers so that my Aunt could enroll me in school, seek medical attention on
my behalf if neccessary, etc. It was all very informal and easy.

Zan
----- Original Message -----
From: SandraDodd@...

No, wards of the state are a whole 'nother thing.
A family can assign temporary legal custody with a notarized form. It's not
a big deal. It happens for extended field trips with regularity. They
state that you have the right to make decisions on the child's behalf and to
authorize medical treatment, and they sign it and have it notarized.

You don't have to deal with the state to keep someone else's child,
especially a relative.

Sandra