Grandparents throughout the nation are raising their grandchildren.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey released earlier this year, nearly 7 million grandparents are financially responsible for the grandchildren who live with them.
Raising children when their biological parents are unable to do so can mean unforeseen financial and legal burdens for grandparents.
Grandparents need to establish their legal rights before providing the things grandchildren need.
It is helpful to become a legal guardian for several reasons. Some reasons include:
· Grandparents may need to enroll their grandchild in school or obtain medical treatment for them. If their biological parents are still alive, a grandparent can seek to become the children’s court-appointed legal guardian.
· Some grandparents may pursue adoption to provide a level of protection and care that their grandchild needs.
· A kinship adoption can be faster than a traditional adoption but requires permission from one of the biological parents.
· Providing financially for grandchildren can be challenging for grandparents. If the child’s biological parents are alive, the grandparents may be able to get child support from the parents.
August is Family Month – a good time to look at parenting strategies and develop a plan.
Cooper Levenson is a full-service law firm established in 1957. Cynthia N. Grob, Esq., a partner with nearly 20 years of experience in family law, can be reached at cgrob@cooperlevenson.com or by calling 856-857-5538.
