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More grandparents seeking legal custody of grandchildren

On Behalf of | Oct 20, 2016 | Grandparents' Rights

When parents are unable, or in some cases unwilling, to take care of their children, many grandparents step into the role of caregiver. Some of these people who have agreed to take on their grandchildren may not always be physically or financially able, yet they step up anyway and petition for legal custody to keep their young loved ones together as a family and out of the foster system. Pennsylvania grandparents may be interested in learning of a couple who is fighting a legal custody battle with the state in which they and their grandchildren live.

The children, a 4-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, were placed in foster care after their father suffered from a serious illness over a year before his death. The grandparents had been called by the child services department with a request that the children be relegated to their care immediately. The grandparents were out of town at the funeral of a family member and could not return in time to keep the children from being placed with a foster family. A report did not indicate the whereabouts of the children’s mother.

The couple have been trying to get custody of the children and have hired an attorney for assistance. They have passed the home inspection as well as the background check, and they are financially able to take care of their grandchildren. However, Child Services is now telling the couple the children are in a stable environment with their foster family and there are no plans to uproot them. A court date has been set for later this month to determine custody, and the grandparents plan to be there with their petition.

There are many legal custody issues for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Being able to make decisions on schooling and healthcare and receiving possible financial assistance are subjects that need to be addressed when grandparents are faced with this new way of life. Pennsylvania grandparents who have questions or who need legal representation will want someone who has a thorough knowledge of the family law statutes of their state.

Source: localmemphis.com, “Local I-Team: Couple Fights For Custody Of Grandchildren“, Maria Hallas, Oct. 6, 2016

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