Washington Designation of Standby Guardian is a form that is used in the state of Washington to appoint a person of the parent's choosing to become the guardian of a minor child if both parents are unable to do so. The Designation of Standby Guardian form is a legally binding document that allows the parent to appoint a standby guardian to care for their minor child in the event of their death or incapacity. The standby guardian is not the legal guardian of the child until the parents are no longer able to care for them. There are two types of Washington Designation of Standby Guardian: Limited and Full. A Limited Designation of Standby Guardian allows the parent to list specific responsibilities for the standby guardian to take on, such as making medical decisions and managing the child's finances. A Full Designation of Standby Guardian grants the standby guardian full guardianship rights, including authority to make all decisions regarding the child's care and welfare.