What exactly is legal guardianship?

Question

My mother wants to get legal guardianship of my neice and nephew. The father said he wants to get custody and give her legal guardianship. The mother is not involved much but there were never any custody papers made. The father only wants to get custody out of spite to the mother. My question is this...If my mother gets legal guardianship and the father gets custody what can happen? Can he or the mother legally take the kids away from my mother? Thanks!

Answer 1

Whoever the kids live with has custody. But it doesn't mean squat without legal guardianship. The legal guardian has all the say-so when it comes to the kids. This actually sounds like a good idea. It gives the father a chance to raise his kids, while allowing your mother the legal right to moniter their health and well-being and, if necessary, take custody herself.