How to Write a Simple Temporary Custody Letter (with Samples)
Use these sample temporary custody letters as templates for your formal custody letter.
Last updated on July 27th, 2022
A temporary custody letter is a written document that a couple or individual writes in order to grant temporary custody of their child to a relative or friend if they intend to be away for an extended period of time.
Also, a couple may choose to write a custody letter if their going through a divorce or perhaps to resolve a custody problem outside of court.
Usually, this is done to avoid paying an attorney to draw up the letter. In general, this kind of letter serves as an actual legal document that will give the specified individual temporary custody of a child.
Also, a couple may choose to write a custody letter if their going through a divorce or perhaps to resolve a custody problem outside of court.
Usually, this is done to avoid paying an attorney to draw up the letter. In general, this kind of letter serves as an actual legal document that will give the specified individual temporary custody of a child.
Standard Practice
Today more than ever, it's starting to become a standard practice for many parents to temporarily give up guardianship rights concerning their child to someone else. Usually, this is because of either an emergency or planned absence. The letter itself is considered a formal, legal document that needs to follow specific guidelines in order to prove that it's valid.
These kinds of letters can be drawn up for all kinds of reasons, such as business trips, temporary incarceration, vacation travel, or anything else that may temporarily separate a parent and child. They're frequently used when a parent needs to travel abroad or out of state regarding business and therefore the child must stay with a friend or relative for a certain amount of time.
Importance of a Temporary Custody Letter
The overall significance of these kinds of letters is to enable the father or mother to ensure that their child is properly cared for while they're away. For example, if a child needs medical attention while his parents are away, he won't be able to receive adequate care without a legal, notarized document like this kind of official letter.
Today more than ever, it's starting to become a standard practice for many parents to temporarily give up guardianship rights concerning their child to someone else. Usually, this is because of either an emergency or planned absence. The letter itself is considered a formal, legal document that needs to follow specific guidelines in order to prove that it's valid.
These kinds of letters can be drawn up for all kinds of reasons, such as business trips, temporary incarceration, vacation travel, or anything else that may temporarily separate a parent and child. They're frequently used when a parent needs to travel abroad or out of state regarding business and therefore the child must stay with a friend or relative for a certain amount of time.
Importance of a Temporary Custody Letter
The overall significance of these kinds of letters is to enable the father or mother to ensure that their child is properly cared for while they're away. For example, if a child needs medical attention while his parents are away, he won't be able to receive adequate care without a legal, notarized document like this kind of official letter.
Both clinics and hospitals have a very strict policy about offering medical care to a minor without the parents consent. In fact, most medical institutions won't even treat a child unless one of the parents is present. The goal of the letter is to protect both the parent and child and to allow the child to receive the care they may need during their absence.
Clearly State the Details
Also, the letter needs to clearly state the details surrounding what the temporary guardian is allowed to do and what they're not allowed to do. Usually, if a relative or friend is in charge of the child, ironing out the details is a fairly straightforward process. But, in order to legally protect the parents, the document needs to have the child's best interest at heart for best results.
Basically, the legalities and type of arrangement will dictate how formal the document should ideally be. For instance, the letter needs to be more formal overall if the child needs to stay with a friend for a substantial amount of time rather than those that are just going away on a short two-week vacation.
Clearly State the Details
Also, the letter needs to clearly state the details surrounding what the temporary guardian is allowed to do and what they're not allowed to do. Usually, if a relative or friend is in charge of the child, ironing out the details is a fairly straightforward process. But, in order to legally protect the parents, the document needs to have the child's best interest at heart for best results.
Basically, the legalities and type of arrangement will dictate how formal the document should ideally be. For instance, the letter needs to be more formal overall if the child needs to stay with a friend for a substantial amount of time rather than those that are just going away on a short two-week vacation.
Format the letter the same way as you would any other kind of formal letter using a block style format. But, you'll also want to incorporate a subject line that states this is a temporary guardianship contract along with the child's name. For the most part, most of these types of letters are intended to cover a time frame of six months or less. Every state has their own set of laws regarding how long a document of this nature is good for.
Spell Out the Details
The terms of the agreement need to be clearly stated in the first paragraph. Ideally, it should begin by stating all the names of everyone involved along with revealing the specific dates including when temporary guardianship starts as well as when it ends.
The next paragraph should state where the parents intend to go in addition to their contact information. Also, be sure to include the names of the child's doctor and dentist in the letter. In fact, it's a good idea to provide a copy of the letter to the child's physician to let them know about the situation.
Most importantly, sign the letter with your legal name. For extra protection, get the letter notarized by an official public notary, although it's not actually required.
Use these temporary custody letter examples as a guideline to create your own.
Format the letter the same way as you would any other kind of formal letter using a block style format. But, you'll also want to incorporate a subject line that states this is a temporary guardianship contract along with the child's name. For the most part, most of these types of letters are intended to cover a time frame of six months or less. Every state has their own set of laws regarding how long a document of this nature is good for.
Spell Out the Details
The terms of the agreement need to be clearly stated in the first paragraph. Ideally, it should begin by stating all the names of everyone involved along with revealing the specific dates including when temporary guardianship starts as well as when it ends.
The next paragraph should state where the parents intend to go in addition to their contact information. Also, be sure to include the names of the child's doctor and dentist in the letter. In fact, it's a good idea to provide a copy of the letter to the child's physician to let them know about the situation.
Most importantly, sign the letter with your legal name. For extra protection, get the letter notarized by an official public notary, although it's not actually required.
Use these temporary custody letter examples as a guideline to create your own.
Sample 1 - Temporary Custody Letter
John and Jane Smith
123 North Avenue
Belmont, Virginia 89452
DATE
Jack and Mary Johnson
789 Lyndon Road
Belmont, Virginia 89452
RE: Temporary Guardianship of Child, Samantha Smith
John and Jane Smith give Jack and Mary Johnson temporary custody of their minor daughter, Samantha Smith from DATE to DATE. This official temporary custody letter will act as a legal and binding document that will enable them to seek medical treatment on behalf of Samantha and to make any decisions concerning her needs for the specified period.
John and Jane Smith intend to travel to New York City on business concerning the dates previously stated. Therefore, in their absence they will be unable to oversee the needs of their daughter Samantha or provide her medical treatment should she need it during the specified period of time.
They are therefore entrusting their daughter's care to Jack and Mary Johnson and giving them temporary guardianship to make any important decisions regarding their daughter's care. The address of the hotel the Smith's will be staying at is:
Hilton Regency
787 Spartan Lane
New York, New York 10014
(123) 676-9023
Samantha Smith's doctor is Dr. Deetz located at Dixon Medical Center in Belmont, Virginia. Their phone number is (353) 458-9832. Samantha's dentist is Dr. Vogel at Vogel Dentistry. Their office number is (353) 458-7622. You can find a copy of this document at either location. John and Jane Smith can be contacted at anytime on their cell phone at (353) 458-4433.
Sincerely,
(sign your name here)
John and Jane Smith
Sample 2 - Temporary Custody Letter
William and Elizabeth Smith
120 Jisco West Rd.
Jackson, Ohio 45640
DATE
Kimberly and Jamie Harr
98745 St. Rt. 149
Rosemount, Ohio 45662
Re: Temporary Guardianship of Minor Child, Adreauna Smith
From DATE till DATE, William and Elizabeth Smith give temporary custody of their daughter, Adreauna Ford, to Jamie and Kimberly Harr. This Temporary Guardianship Letter will serve as a legal and binding document that will allow them to obtain medical treatment and to make any decisions regarding the needs of the child for this period.
William and Elizabeth will be in Europe on business for the dates listed above. They will not be able to provide medical treatment and see to the needs of their child during these time periods. Trusting in good faith, Jamie and Kimberly Harr, they allow temporary guardianship so they may make decisions regarding their child’ care.
The address of the hostel that the Smith’s will be stay in is 7890 Piccadilly Square, London, England. The phone number there is +44 20 8988 8300. Since London is five hours ahead of the United States, consideration must be made when calling.
The child's medical doctor is Jill Neff at McCarty Lane Pediatrics in Jackson. Their phone number is 740-286-5245. Adreauna's dentist is Dr. Rebo at Rebo Health Professionals , and the phone number is 740-286-0989. A copy of this letter will be on file at both locations.
Sincerely,
William and Elizabeth Ford
Sample 3 - Temporary Custody Letter
Parent’s Name
Parent’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Guardian’s Name
Guardian’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
RE: Temporary Guardianship of minor child, Name of Child
This letter is a legally binding document that gives Name of Guardian temporary guardianship of Name of Parent or Parent’s son, Name of Child. The guardianship will be effective from DATE to DATE. Name of Guardian will be allowed to make any decisions regarding medical treatments or other types of permission required by the child during this period.
Name of Parents will be in India on business during the time given in this letter and will not be easily available to make decisions if any medical treatment is required for their son. The parents can be reached at Address of Hotel, Phone Number of Hotel or by email at Email Address.
The child’s doctor is Name of Doctor and her phone number is Phone Number. The child’s dentist is Name of Dentist and his phone number is Phone Number. A copy of this letter will be given to both doctors.
Sincerely,
Parent or Parent’s Signature
Printed Name of Parent or Parents
By Andre Bradley
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