### Question
Can you define what legal guardianship means?


### Answer
**Legal guardianship** is defined as the following in *42 U.S.C. § 675*:

> a judicially created relationship between child and caretaker which is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining as evidenced by the transfer to the caretaker of the following parental rights with respect to the child: protection, education, care and control of the person, custody of the person, and decisionmaking

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 675*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7-SOCIAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER IV-GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR CHILD-WELFARE SERVICES > Part E-Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance**

