What are some of the reasons grandparents would ask the court to be appointed a grandchilds guardian?
Grandparents may want to consider whether to ask the court to be appointed guardian of their grandchild if: • the parents of the grandchildren are dead or missing and someone needs to have the authority to make major decisions for the child • the child’s parents are abusing the grandchildren • the child’s parents are in jail, or addicted to drugs, or are otherwise not able to care for the children • the grandparents are having trouble getting necessary medical care for the child and they do not know where the child’s parents are • the child has funds from an inheritance or as a result of a lawsuit or settlement, or owns property, and an adult is needed to make decisions about the child’s financial affairs What does the court consider when deciding to grant guardianship to a grandparent? The court will look at the circumstances of the case, decide whether the parents are able to adequately take care of the child and, IF NOT, then decide who [is to] WILL be appointed the guardian of the
