It is not uncommon for grandparents to have temporary or even permanent custody of their grandchildren. In many cases, grandparents gain custody if the parents are unwilling or unable to take care of the children.
However, there are other reasons for letting your parents take over custody or parental responsibility in the meantime—many of them practical.
Possible reasons for giving grandparents temporary custody
When courts give grandparents full custody of children, it is usually because the parents cannot take care of them properly. You may often hear of cases of abuse, neglect, addiction or incarceration forcing parents to give up custody to the grandparents.
Despite these cases being common, there are other potential reasons for giving grandparents custody—at least temporarily:
- Military deployment: If you do not have a coparent to take care of your children while you are deployed, you can designate your parents as temporary caretakers. If your children’s other parent is in the time-sharing plan but cannot assume responsibility, you can seek a temporary modification for the grandparents to take on the role.
- Medical treatment: Undergoing extensive and long-term medical treatment may leave you unable to take care of your children in the meantime. Giving them to your parents can allow you to recover more easily and gives you peace of mind knowing they are in good hands.
- Temporary financial hardship: Not being able to provide for your children can be difficult, but giving them to their grandparents can be a good option, at least until you get back on your feet.
These are just some scenarios where giving grandparents parental responsibility can be a viable option. Other possible examples are long-term job relocation, mental health emergencies, home transitions and other life events where living with grandparents is the best for your children’s well-being.
Grandparents’ legal rights over their grandchildren
Having temporary physical custody without a court order does not give grandparents the right to make decisions for their grandchildren. This is why making things legal is crucial.
One option is to create a power of attorney giving your parents the right to make decisions for your children, such as medical and educational decisions. This way, they can fully care for your children’s health and well-being even if you are not around to make those choices.
Consider speaking to a family attorney who can explain your legal options. They can guide you and your parents through the process and, most importantly, help protect your children’s best interests.