grandparents raising grandchildren

February 24, 2017

WHY THE QUEST FOR GRANDPARENTS RIGHTS IS SO HARD.

Whenever I am called on to explain why Grandparents Rights is such a tough subject I find myself deflecting  the question. The answer(s) are many and very complicated. A lot of why it is hard is that we all start too late. Most Grandparents wait til there is family unit stability trouble on the horizon to start worrying about the potential that they may not see as much of their grands as they wish. In some cases it is whether […]
February 24, 2015

THE STATE OF GRANDPARENTS RIGHTS Part 3 of 8

In an effort to understand what this 1983 GRANDPARENTS VISITATION RIGHTS hearing before the subcommittee had to look at to recommend legislation of a Uniform Act let’s hear again from Senator John East in his opening statement of purpose to the committee. This is a huge question; 2) “If grandparents are to be given access to courts to seek visitation rights, how shall these rights be framed?” Here we get to what I consider to be the true crux of […]
February 22, 2012

WHAT TO DO TO ESTABLISH YOUR GRANDPARENTS RIGHTS

As Grandparents we possess the ability to add so much to our grandchildren’s lives. The very last thing we want to do is to have to exert our Grandparent rights. If this becomes necessary here a few things to consider. Under the present law structures the “Win the parents over with kindness and consideration” is the most effective way to address any family stresses. I didn’t say it was the easiest, most fun or only way, I merely suggest it […]
December 10, 2011

GRANDPARENTS AS PARENTS NEED TO KNOW THEIR GRANDPARENTS RIGHTS

You may be surprised to know that over 6 million households (Headed by Heroic Grandparents) in America today are involved in rescuing grandchildren from non-functioning family units. Many of these arrangements are informal in nature. This causes all kinds of problems for Grandparents Rights in every case as well as added instability for the grandchildren. Here is how it works in many cases. The increasing number of single Moms as well as, to a lesser extent single Dads,  move back […]
September 15, 2011

Grandparents raising grandchildren rally in Washington, DC

Across the country hundreds of thousands of grandparents raising grandchildren do not get sufficient rights or help. They gladly take on the role as the primary caregiver, but they hope to gain some of the same support afforded to foster parents. Grandparents from across the state and country are rallying to raise awareness about the lack of support they receive, in contrast to the foster care system, when raising grandchildren. The fourth annual Grand Rally is taking place today in […]
September 6, 2011

US census data: Grandparents raising grandchildren grows

Grandparents raising grandchildren is not a new phenomenon. It is, however, a rapidly growing one. Census data shows that the incidence of increased grandparent involvement in raising their own grandchildren is getting more and more common. As of 2010 about 6 million children, nearly 8 percent of all children, were recorded as living with grandparents identified as head of household. That number is nearly twice what it was in the 2000 census. Sometimes grandparents must take over a child who […]
August 15, 2011

Grandparents raising grandchildren should consider their situation and their rights

The number of children being raised by their grandparents has risen sharply since the start of the recession in 2007, according to a Pew Research Center study that found one in 10 children in the US now lives with a grandparent. Many people have a lot of questions when it comes to grandparents custody and the consideration of grandparents rights who are caring for their grandchildren. According to the Pew study, almost two-thirds of the grandparents who are primarily responsible […]
June 15, 2011

Grandparents rights in different states

Many states today claim that when it comes to grandparents custody rights the grandparents have no rights to visit, see or speak with their grandchildren unless the child’s parents permit such. Only if a grandparent believes that their grandchild’s welfare is in serious danger can they notify the authorities and potentially petition the court for custody of the child. This is not true, however, in all states. Some states have permissive grandparents rights laws. Such individual states generally use one […]
May 20, 2011

Governor signs new Kansas grandparents rights bill into law

Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a new Kansas grandparents rights bill into law, in an effort to give grandparents more rights in child-in-need-of-care cases. The House Substitute for Senate Bill 23, which expands grandparents rights to take over parenting when their children are deemed unfit parents, was signed by Brownback earlier this month. The bill gives grandparents automatic standing in court in child-in-need-of-care cases. Without automatic standing as interested parties, grandparents are not necessarily sent notice of proceedings involving their […]