What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? illinois i was just curious about something and i would like a serious answer not smart aleck rude comments. if you appointed someone your childrens' legal guardian do you have to go before a judge to make it legal or do you just go ahead and have guardianship? the reason i asked is because my friend, who recently died, appointed his sister and brother in law the legal guardian of his kids, and they werent sure if they had to go before a judge or not