Reno Guardianship Lawyer
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Schedule Your ConsultationLet Our SIJS Guardianship Application Attorney in Reno, NV, Help You Successfully Take the First Step to Protecting Immigrant Children in Family Court in Washoe County
When a young person arrives in the United States without their parents or legal guardians, obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) can open the door to lawful permanent residence and a secure future. One of the most critical steps in the SIJS process in Nevada is establishing legal guardianship through the family courts. At Smit Law Group, our experienced Reno guardianship lawyer helps families and sponsors navigate the guardianship process in Washoe County’s Second Judicial District Court, ensuring that the necessary findings are in place to support a successful SIJS petition.
Having the right legal support throughout this process is essential for securing a child in your care the stability and protection they need and deserve. Contact us today for a confidential consultation, and get the dedicated and knowledgeable help you need for every stage of guardianship and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status determination.
Understanding Guardianship in the Context of SIJS
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status is a type of humanitarian immigration protection designed for children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. This status provides important security for the child, but there’s a whole process that must take place before it is granted.
Before an immigration court can grant SIJS, a state family court, such as the Second Judicial District Court in Reno, must issue an order making specific findings about the child’s situation.
To qualify for SIJS, a state court must determine that:
- The child is under 21 years old and unmarried.
- The child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents.
- It is not in the child’s best interest to return to their country of origin.
- The court has placed the child under the custody or guardianship of an individual or agency.
For many young immigrants in Washoe County, this means filing a guardianship application. A guardian application is a legal request asking the Family Division of the court to appoint a responsible adult as the child’s guardian.
Our law firm provides comprehensive assistance through this process, from drafting petitions to attending hearings.
Your future deserves attention today. Call 775-993-2235 or contact our team to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
The Role of Guardianship in SIJS Petitions
In Nevada, a guardianship order establishes that a minor child has a caretaker responsible for their health, education, and welfare. This order also provides the foundation for a state court to issue the necessary SIJS findings that the child cannot safely reunite with one or both parents.
Our Reno guardianship lawyer at Smit Law Group ensures that every guardianship petition not only complies with Nevada law but also satisfies the federal SIJS criteria. This dual focus is essential, because errors or omissions at the state court level can cause delays or even denials of the immigration petition later on.
Venue: Where to File Guardianship Petitions in Washoe County
Guardianship applications related to SIJS are filed in the Family Division of the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada, which serves Washoe County. Located in Reno, this court has jurisdiction over matters involving minors, including custody, guardianship, and child welfare.
Filing Location
Second Judicial District Court, Family Division
1 South Sierra Street
Reno, Nevada 89501
Phone: (775) 328-3110
Official Website – Hours & Location
Hours of Operation
The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding legal holidays. The filing window for the Family Division generally closes at 4:00 p.m., so it’s advisable to arrive earlier in the day to allow sufficient time for filing and reviewing documents.
For in-person filings, you can go to the Clerk’s Office on the first floor of the Family Division building. Electronic filing is also available through the court’s eFlex system for registered users, which our family and immigration law firm can manage on your behalf.
Filing Basics: How the Guardianship Process Works
The guardianship process in Washoe County typically involves several steps:
Initial Consultation and Document Preparation
Our Reno guardianship lawyer meets with the proposed guardian and the child to review eligibility, gather background information, and prepare the required documents.
Petition and Supporting Affidavits
A formal Petition for Guardianship is filed with the Family Division, along with affidavits explaining the circumstances of abandonment, neglect, or abuse.
Court Investigation and Notices
The court may order a Guardianship Investigation Report through the Family Court’s Guardianship Compliance Office or another designated agency. Notice must also be served on living parents or other interested parties.
Hearing Before a Family Division Judge
The court schedules a hearing, usually within several weeks. At the hearing, the SIJS guardianship application attorney in Reno, NV, presents evidence and arguments supporting the appointment of the guardian and the SIJS-related findings.
Issuance of Guardianship Order
If the court finds the guardianship to be in the child’s best interest, it issues an order appointing the guardian and, when requested, includes SIJS findings confirming that reunification with one or both parents is not viable and that it is not in the child’s best interest to return to their home country.
Filing the SIJS Petition with USCIS
After the court order is issued, our immigration team helps prepare and file the Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This connects the state court order to the federal SIJS process.
How Smit Law Group Can Help
At our immigration and family law firm, we understand the challenges abandoned children and non-parent adults caring for them face. Whether you’re dealing with questions about the process or with the practical realities of the Washoe County court system, such as issues in language access, court fees, or hearing scheduling, we’re here to provide legal support.
We assist clients in preparing:
- Petitions for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor
- Affidavits outlining the history of abuse, abandonment, or neglect
- Proposed SIJS Findings Orders
- Consent forms (if applicable)
- Notice of Hearing and service to interested parties
Our goal is to present a complete, well-supported guardianship package that allows the Family Division judge to make prompt and favorable findings.
Our SIJS Guardianship Application Attorney in Reno, NV, Practices at the Intersection of Family Law and Immigration Law
Guardianship and SIJS cases require a unique blend of legal knowledge. Nevada family courts handle the guardianship and best-interest findings, while the immigration component is adjudicated by federal authorities. Because these systems are separate, they must be coordinated carefully to ensure consistent and timely outcomes.
A Reno guardianship lawyer with experience in family law practice plays an essential role in bridging this gap. At Smit Law Group, we maintain close communication between the family court process and federal filings, ensuring that all required SIJS findings are properly worded and that deadlines for immigration filings are met.
Why Choose Smit Law Group as Your Reno Guardianship Lawyer?
Choosing the right legal team makes a tremendous difference in the outcome of your guardianship and immigration case. At Smit Law Group, we’re known for providing:
- Local court experience: Familiarity with Washoe County judges, clerks, and procedures
- Multilingual services: Assistance in English, Spanish, Dutch, German, and French
- Comprehensive case strategy: An approach that ensures every aspect of the case, from guardianship filings to SIJS petitions and Adjustment of Status, is fully aligned
- Personalized support: Compassionate, child-centered representation
Drawing on our experience practicing state-level family law and our federal immigration insight, we have helped numerous immigrant youth secure guardianships and SIJS determinations that provide stability, safety, and a pathway to permanent residency.
Contact a Reno Guardianship Lawyer at Smit Law Group Today for Your Initial Case Review
If you are caring for an undocumented minor who has been abused, neglected, or abandoned, obtaining guardianship through the Washoe County Family Division may be the first crucial step toward Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and lawful residency. Our compassionate and skilled Reno guardianship lawyer at Smit Law Group is ready to guide you through every stage of the guardianship and SIJS process.
For help obtaining guardianship that facilitates FIJS protection for a child in your care in or near Reno, contact Smit Law Group online or call 775-993-2235 today.