What does a guardianship agreement typically do?

A guardianship agreement serves to establish a formal arrangement in which a guardian is appointed to care for a minor child or an incapacitated person. This arrangement can often involve the conditional assignment of parental rights, meaning that the rights and responsibilities granted to the guardian may have stipulations attached, such as requirements for monitoring or conditions under which the guardianship can be reviewed or terminated.

The emphasis on conditional terms is crucial; guardianship isn't typically intended to be a permanent assignment of parental rights without stipulations or oversight. Instead, it allows for flexibility based on the child’s best interests and changing circumstances. This is articulated through the possibility of terminating the arrangement with notice when certain conditions are met or when the situation of the guardianship needs to be reassessed.

In contrast, a permanent assignment of parental rights would imply an irreversible decision, which is not usually the hallmark of guardianship since it allows for some level of oversight and potential revocation. The options related to custody by the state or conversion to joint custody do not accurately reflect the nature of a guardianship, which is focused on providing care rather than transferring rights in a manner typical of custody agreements.