Louisiana Tutorship Law Firm

Tutorship, also known as guardianship in other states, establishes a substitute for parental authority.  Tutorship is what you must rely on whenever parental authority is unavailable, such as after the death of parents.  If you are in need of establishing tutorship be sure to retain the services of an experienced family law attorney.  We can guide you through the complexities.

Types of Tutorship

Per La. Civ. Code art. 247, there are four types of tutorship: natural, by will, legal, and dative.  

Natural tutorship occurs when one parent dies.  The surviving parent usually becomes the minor child’s tutor.  The natural tutor derives his or her right and obligation from the law without the intervention of any person.  There are some circumstances when the surviving parent can’t serve or is unwilling to serve in this way.

Tutorship by will occurs when both parents die, or the surviving parent is unable to be the child’s guardian, a tutor may be appointed according to the terms of the parent’s last will and testament. The tutor named in the will must be willing and able to serve as guardian of the child, and must be approved by a judge.

Legal tutorship occurs if both parents die and a tutor is not named in the will of the last surviving parent.  In such a case, the legal tutor is appointed by the judge according to an order of priority of right and obligation specified by law.  In most cases, the court will appoint a close relative such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle who is willing and able to take on the legal responsibility of being a tutor.

Dative tutorship occurs when a tutor isn’t named by will, and there are no relatives who can serve as tutor for the child.  The court will name a non-relative as the child’s dative tutor.

Parties to Tutorship

The tutor is the person who replaces the parent.  The pupil is the child whose affairs are superintended.  The undertutor watches over the tutor to make sure the tutor does what he or she is supposed to.  The undertutor is responsible for recommending replacements if the tutor is forced to or chooses to step down.  A tutor has the same legal responsibilities regardless of how the tutor is appointed.  Tutors must protect the child’s health, education, and general wellbeing.  Additionally, the tutor must protect the child’s property unless the court specifically names a separate tutor for this purpose.

New Orleans Tutorship Attorneys

Bowes, Petkovich & Palmer, LLC is a Gretna law firm that has served the New Orleans area since 1980.  Our experienced family law attorneys are well versed in all domestic matters including tutorship or guardianship.  We take pride in offering a personal and trusted experience.  Call us today for a free consultation and find out why so many of our clients come back to us.