Assistance, curatorship and official guardianship

Assistance

A guardian supports parents who are the sole carers of a child. The custodial parent can apply for assistance in writing. The assistance is voluntary and free of charge. 
The assistance primarily helps with the legal representation of the minor child, e.g:

• establishing paternity
• and/or in the assertion of the child's maintenance claims

The assistance does not restrict parental custody. It can be cancelled in writing at any time.

Curatorship

Curatorship means that the Youth Welfare Office or another person takes over certain parts of parental care. 
This can be, for example

• Property care (management of a child's money or property)
• residence (deciding where the child lives and stays)

The Youth Welfare Office becomes a child's carer if it is appointed by the family or guardianship court. In principle, the parents remain custodians, but a certain area is transferred.

Official guardianship

The Youth Welfare Office assumes official guardianship if neither parent can exercise custody.
This can be the case, for example

• if the parents are deceased
• if the family court withdraws custody from the parents
• if the parent with sole custody is a minor and therefore unable to represent their child
• if the parental custody of one parent is suspended due to consent to an adoption
• if the Office for Youth and Social Affairs is appointed guardian by the family or guardianship court

The official guardian then bears full responsibility for the child, similar to parents:

• he represents the child in all legal matters
• decides on school, education and place of residence
• He takes care of maintenance and assets

• he takes care of and decides on health matters

   

Objective of assistance, curatorship and official guardianship

Assistance, curatorships and official guardianships ensure that children and young people are reliably represented and protected - even when parents cannot or are not allowed to organise everything themselves.