Most Arizonan grandparents love spending time with their grandchildren. However, there is an emerging trend across America: grandparents who raise their grandchildren. In fact, more than five million grandchildren are raised by their grandparents, and that number is believed to be higher due to underreporting. So what is causing so many grandparents to raise their grandchildren? There are many reasons, including divorce, death of the child’s parents, and financially insecure parents. Yet, one of the biggest reasons why grandchildren are being raised by their grandparents is substance abuse by a child’s parents.
Grandparents understandably might be concerned about their grandchildren’s well-being when they believe the children have unfit parents. However, they should take comfort in knowing that legal action can be taken to protect the children. A local Tucson attorney may be able to help these individual’s discover grandparents’ rights, and how best to act on them.
When a court determines child custody, it always acts in the best interest of the child involved. Many factors are taken into consideration when making a final judgment, including a home’s financial stability, any history of violence or substance abuse, and a grandparent’s relationship with grandchildren. An attorney experienced handling these types of cases may be able to put forth strong evidence in a support of a grandparent’s custody rights, thereby giving him or her the best possible chance for success.
Grandparents have a lot to think about when it comes to their grandchildren. They may be concerned about finances, involvement by the Department of Child Safety, and their own legal rights to the child. By speaking with an attorney, these individuals can learn what actions are available to them and which support not only their best interests, but those of the child as well.
Source: The Huffington Post, “What Millions Of Grandparents Want You To Know,” Deborah Doucette, July 14, 2014