In Re Estates of Herrod

Petitioner appealed the circuit court’s denial of her request for appointment of a standby guardian of her two minor children with custody to be transferred to the guardian upon petitioner’s death or incapacity, or, in the alternative, for an order of joint custody.

The record reflects that the petitioner, Geraldine Jones, had been diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). As the single parent of Melanie Marie Herrod, 11 years old, and of Ebony Lynette Stevenson, five years old, petitioner sought appointment of a…