Choose someone to care for your child in case of arrest or deportation

This guide explains how to legally choose another adult to temporarily care for your children. You might need this if:

• You are arrested
• You are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• You become too sick to care for your child

About this form:

• It lets you choose a temporary caregiver called a "Person in Parental Relationship" (PPR)
• It lasts for up to 12 months
• You don't need to go to court
• You keep all your parental rights
• You can cancel it at any time

What can the PPR do?

The person you choose can:

• Talk to your child's school and teachers
• Talk to your child's doctors
• Make basic healthcare decisions
• Apply for public assistance and medical benefits

What can't the PPR do?

The person you choose cannot:

• Make decisions about major medical treatment or surgery
• Override your decisions about your child
• Make permanent decisions about your child

Important things to know

1. When does it start?

You can choose to have it start:

• Right away
• On a specific future date
• When something happens (like being detained by ICE)

You can choose when you would like the PPR relationship to start in question 4 on the form.

2. How long does it last?

You can decide if you want the form to last for a year or less in Question 4 on the form. 

3. Can I limit what the PPR can do?

Yes! You can:

• Choose which decisions they can make
• Cross out and initial any powers you don't want to give them
• Write down specific limits on what they can do

Question 5 of the form has checkboxes to choose which types of decisions the PPR is allowed to make for your child. There is also a separate box where you can write more limits for the PPR.  

4. What if I share custody?

• If you have a court order saying both parents must agree on education or health decisions, both parents must sign the form
• If not, only one parent needs to sign

How to fill out the form

• You can use one form for all your children or separate forms for each child
• Both you and the PPR should try to sign in front of a notary
• The PPR must agree to take care of your child

Remember:

• You keep all your parental rights
• You can change your mind at any time
• This is temporary (up to 12 months)
• This is not the same as guardianship