Guardianships (§ 55 SGB VIII)

If counselling and support is not sufficient, you have the option of appointing the Youth and Family Services to assist your child. This means that the Youth and Family Specialist Service is authorised to clarify paternity and assert the child's maintenance claims. The counsellor represents the child in necessary court proceedings and can also carry out enforcement measures on their behalf.

The parent who has sole parental custody can apply for guardianship. In the case of joint parental custody, the parent in whose household the child lives is entitled to apply.

The guardianship does not restrict parental custody. It can be cancelled in writing at any time. It ends automatically when the child reaches the age of majority

Further information can be found in the brochure "Beistandschaft" from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth:

In principle, there are no administrative costs, but costs may be incurred in court proceedings.

To make an appointment to apply for guardianship, please get in touch with the contact person responsible for managing guardianships.