Comparison of Custodial Arrangements

Legal Arrangements	Procedure	Authority	Security & Stability	Financial Assistance	Kinship Resources
Non-Legal Custodian Affidavit	Form signed by person caring for the child	Limited medical and education decisions but not always accepted	No Protection	Kinship Subsidy²	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs
Provisional Custody By Mandate	Form signed by parent in front of a notary	Full decision making but not always accepted by the schools	Only good for 1 year and can be revoked at any time during the year	Kinship Subsidy²	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs
Voluntary Transfer Of Custody	Petition filed in Court with the cooperation of the parent	Full decision-making	Court ordered protection and can only be changed by the court	Kinship Subsidy²	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs
Child in Need of Care Kinship Custody	Petition filed with the court and the court must find abuse or neglect	Full decision-making	Court ordered protection and can only be changed by the court	No foster care payment but may receive Kinship Subsidy	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs
Child in Need of Care Foster Care	Petition filed with the court and the court must find abuse or neglect	State retains ultimate decision-making	Court ordered protection for legal custody but DCFS can determine the child’s placement	Foster Care Payments³	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs; DCFS Foster Care Programs and Supports
Child in Need of Care Guardianship	Petition filed with the court and the court must find abuse or neglect	Full decision-making	Court ordered protection and can only be changed by the court	May be eligible for Guardianship Subsidy	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs
Adoption	Petition filed with the court Parents rights must be surrendered or terminated	Full decision-making	Court ordered protection and can only be changed by the court	May be eligible for Adoption Subsidy
Non-Parental Custody	Petiotion filed wirth the court and the court must fins that parental custody will substantially harm the child and the non-parent can provide a stable home	Decision-making is based on the court’s order	Court ordered protection and can only be changed by the court	Kinship Subsidy² and any support ordered by the court	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs
Tutorship	Petition filed with court to determine who is legally responsible for the child and the child’s finances	Decision-making is based on the court’s order	Court ordered protection and can only be changed by the court	Kinship Subsidy² and any support ordered by the court	Kinship Navigator; DCFS Kinship Programs

1. Low income families can apply for financial assistance such as SNAP (food stamps). FITAP. etc. at https://ldh.la.gov/page/family-support (opens in a new tab)
2. Must be a blood relative and meet income guidelines. Apply at https://ldh.la.gov/page/kcsp (opens in a new tab).
3. Must be a DCFS certified foster home