Can both guardians and close family members of a child have parental responsibilities and parenting time?

In the context of family law, guardians are individuals who have been granted the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of a child and are typically appointed by a court. Guardianship includes a range of responsibilities, which may involve decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and overall welfare. Because guardians have this legal status, they are recognized as having parental responsibilities and can also be granted parenting time.

While close family members, such as grandparents or aunts and uncles, may play a significant role in a child's life and even seek visitation or custody arrangements, they do not automatically have the same level of legal authority as a guardian. Their involvement in the child's life does not equate to parental responsibilities unless they themselves are appointed as guardians or have acquired legal rights through specific court orders.

Consequently, only guardians possess the full spectrum of parental responsibilities and parenting time inherent to their legal status. This differentiates them from close family members, who may have relationships with the child but lack the same legal standing in decision-making roles concerning the child’s welfare.