Low-income and immigrant families frequently rely on informal caregiving arrangements when parents face medical emergencies, immigration issues, or economic instability. Without written authority, caregivers may be unable to enroll children in school, consent to medical care, or access services that support the child’s wellbeing. This session will introduce delegations of parental authority under Chapters 34 and 35 of the Texas Family Code and explore how these tools can help families create more stable caregiving arrangements. Presenters will also discuss how Community Justice Workers, non-lawyer advocates, can collaborate with legal teams to work closely with families and help identify when these tools are appropriate, support families in understanding their options, and connect caregiver households with public benefits and other resources that support children.
This session will delve into the intricacies of representing nonparents caring for children. The two common topics discussed will be Nonparent Authorization Agreements (NPAAs) and Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCRs). Legal aid attorneys commonly receive requests from grandparents, aunts and uncles, adult siblings, and other relatives requesting legal assistance after they experience roadblocks while caring for a child. NPAAs are a common “kincare” (kinship care) tool used in Texas, but SAPCRs may also be an option. Knowing the differences between and the requirements of both allows attorneys to better evaluate their nonparent clients’ cases.
Family Clinic Staff Attorney, St. Mary's Center for Legal and Social Justice
Stephanie Medellin is the staff attorney for the Family Law Clinic at the Center for Legal and Social Justice at St. Mary’s University School of Law. Stephanie represents clients in divorce, adoption, name change, and probate cases in court. She also co-teaches clinic seminar... Read More →
