When your son or daughter can no longer take care of their child, the next best thing is kinship care. This term refers to a legally appointed caregiver who is a relative willing to provide a permanent home for children who cannot safely remain in their home and will likely be unable to return to their parent’s custody.
It is important for Grandfamilies (grandparents raising their grandchildren) to learn about the community resources available to help overcome the obstacles of raising a child and meeting their needs, especially if they have been neglected or abused. The Children’s Service Society of Utah offers specialized ‘Grandfamilies Programs‘ for grandparents seeking support groups, crisis intervention and links for helpful community resources.
While there will be many challenges to come as your grandchild’s primary caregiver, the first thing you need to do is contact an experienced, compassionate grandparents guardianship advocate to gain legal guardianship or custody. Without documentation to protect your legal rights and the rights of your grandchild, the child’s parents can remove him or her from your care at any time.
Wasatch Defense Attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you petition the court for guardianship or custody and understand the requirements you will have to meet to become a legal guardian in the state of Utah. Give us a call today for your free 30-minute consultation 801-845-3509.
Grandfamilies in Utah
There are approximately 24,000 children in Utah who have a grandparent as their primary caregiver because their parents are no longer able to provide for them. While the number one reason a parent is no longer capable of caring for their child(ren) is drug abuse, there are other causes like poverty, mental illness, incarceration or death. It is important for grandparents to seek resources for the wellbeing of their grandchildren and legal help to establish grandparents guardianship in Utah.
Responsibilities of Becoming a Guardian Over a Child
There are many responsibilities that come with taking on all of the responsibilities that go with raising a child until he or she is 18. Becoming the legal guardian of a child, it is not something to be taken lightly. You must devote the time and effort it will take for daily care and wellbeing and consider how it will affect your financial situation, job, and your health.
Petitioning for Guardianship in Utah
It is important to have an experienced family law attorney on your side to help you navigate Utah’s confusing guardianship and child custody laws. Because establishing guardianship is such an important process, the court will require the following steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child or children:
- Interviews with All Parties Involved
- Home Visit and Inspection
- Phycological Evaluation
- Background Checks
Choose an Experienced Guardianship Attorney in Utah
If you are currently caring for your grandchild or wish to petition the court to gain guardianship or custody, the compassionate grandparent’s guardianship advocates at Wasatch Defense Lawyers will ensure you receive fair and equitable treatment throughout this difficult time. Contact us to schedule your free, confidential 30-minute case review to learn about your legal options and the steps needed to petition the court to gain legal custody or guardianship of your grandson or granddaughter. We are proud to provide military discounts and offer flexible payment plans.