Permanent guardianships of minor children are not authorized unless both parents are deceased or the parental rights of any living parent have been terminated by a court.
The Standby Guardianship Act allows custodial parents to sign a document designating a standby guardian for their child or children in the event the parent(s) become incapacitated.
Sometimes parents are temporarily unable to care for their minor children and must place them with a friend or relative who can care for the children until the custodial parent(s) can do so again.