What is the difference between CHIPS, guardianship, and TPR?

CHIPS, minor guardianship, and termination of parental rights are three different Wisconsin legal mechanisms, even though each can affect who cares for a child.

A CHIPS case is a juvenile-court proceeding in which the court determines whether a child is in need of protection or services under one of the statutory grounds in Chapter 48. A CHIPS order can require services, impose conditions, regulate placement, and permit continuing court supervision while parental rights remain intact.

A private minor guardianship under § 48.9795 transfers specified parental powers to a guardian. Depending on the type of guardianship, the transfer may be broad or limited and temporary or longer term. Guardianship ordinarily does not permanently erase the legal parent-child relationship.

TPR is different because it permanently terminates the legal parent-child relationship if statutory grounds are established and termination is ultimately ordered in the child’s best interests. Because of that permanence, TPR has distinct procedural protections and a two-stage grounds/disposition structure in contested cases.

The appropriate legal mechanism depends on the child’s circumstances, the degree of court intervention needed, whether parental rights should remain intact, and the statutory requirements for each proceeding.

Primary Wisconsin authorities: Wis. Stat. §§ 48.13, 48.40–48.427, and 48.9795.