What is a legal relationship between a grandparent and the grandchild he or she is raising? What are the possible options for our family?
A legal relationship is written authority for a grandparent to care for a grandchild. There are four primary legal options: • Power of attorney; • Custody/allocation of parental responsibility; • Guardianship; and • Adoption. A power of attorney is the least formal; it does not involve the court. The parent(s) can give and revoke this authority at will. Custody and guardianship do involve the court, but are usually of an indefinite duration, including a long term relationship. Adoption involves the court, and is a permanent change of the legal relationship. Each of these options is discussed in more detail below.
