under this chapter.
"Coguardian." A person who along with a parent shares
physical or legal custody, or both, of a child.
"Consent." A written authorization signed by the designator
in the presence of two witnesses who shall also sign the
writing. The witnesses must be 18 years of age or older and not
named in the designation.
"Court." Family Court Division or domestic relations section
of a court of common pleas unless otherwise provided by local
rules of court.
"Debilitation." A person's chronic and substantial inability
as a result of a physically incapacitating disease or injury to
care for a dependent minor.
"Designation." A written document naming the standby
guardian or temporary guardian. A parent, a legal custodian or a
legal guardian may designate an alternate standby guardian in
the same writing.
"Designator." A parent, a legal custodian or a legal
guardian who appoints a standby guardian or temporary guardian.
"Determination of debilitation." A written finding made by
an attending physician which states that the designator suffers
from a physically incapacitating disease or injury. No
identification of the illness in question is required.
"Determination of incapacity." A written finding made by an
attending physician which states the nature, extent and probable
duration of the designator's mental or organic incapacity.
"Family member." A grandparent, aunt, uncle or adult sibling
of a minor.
"Incapacity." A chronic and substantial inability, resulting
from a mental or organic impairment, to understand the nature
and consequences of decisions concerning the care of the
designator's dependent minor and a consequent inability to care
for the minor.
"Standby guardian." A person named by a designator to assume
the duties of coguardian or guardian of a minor and whose
authority becomes effective upon the incapacity, debilitation
and consent, or death of the minor's parent.
"Temporary guardian." A family member, appointed by a court
for a limited period as a guardian of the minor when the minor's
custodial parent has entered a rehabilitation facility for
treatment of drug or alcohol addiction or has been subject to
emergency medical intervention due to abuse of drugs or alcohol.
"Triggering event." A specified occurrence stated in the
designation which empowers a standby guardian to assume the
powers, duties and responsibilities of guardian or coguardian.
§ 5603. Scope.
The provisions of Chapter 53 (relating to custody) and 20
Pa.C.S. Ch. 25 (relating to wills) shall apply to standby
guardians, coguardians, guardians, temporary guardians and any
alternates unless otherwise specified in this chapter. Nothing
in this chapter shall be construed to deprive any parent,
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