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Establishing a child guardianship (or guardianships in general) is quite complicated. It is not something you would likely be able to handle yourself, and you would want to consult with a family law attorney who has handled guardianships before. A good place to start searching for a lawyer would be the Washington State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, which you can find information on here. You should also check with Child Protective Services, as they may be able to offer some assistance or guidance.
This is a brief synopsis of how guardianship works in Washington State:
Guardianship may be limited only to personal affairs or health care decisions, or it may be a full guardianship in which the legal guardian oversees every aspect of the person's life -- where they will live, medical care, and management of income and assets.Any concerned person can initiate a guardianship proceeding. A doctor must certify that an adult is incompetent to manage his or her own affairs (waived for children under 18). All family members are notified, and the subject of the proceedings is appointed a guardian ad litem to ensure his or her interests are protected.Within 60 days, a hearing is held to determine if the person is incapacitated in the eyes of the court. A trial is held if (a) the person disputes his or her own incompetence, or (b) family members dispute who should be appointed guardian. Once designated, the guardian is responsible for a financial accounting of the estate and the purchase of insurance bonds to protect the incapacitated person's assets and income.
Hope this helps.
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