[header] How to get financial assistance for children of incarcerated parents [title] Hire an attorney. [step] If you want to become a child's legal guardian in order to assist the child financially while one or both of his or her parents are incarcerated, you should talk about your options with a lawyer. When searching for an lawyer, contact your state bar's lawyer referral service and ask for help finding a qualified family law lawyer. 
The state bar representative will ask you a few questions and will give you the names and contact information of qualified lawyers in your area. Call each candidate and set up an initial consultation.