| You may want to start researching you rights as a | | | | if it a grandparent can establish that it is in the best |
| grandparent. I live in the state of Kentucky and we | | | | interest of the child. You must provide information to |
| as grandparents do have rights for visitation and to | | | | the court showing that there has been a relationship |
| take custody of our grandchildren if the child is being | | | | with the child. There are three things that you may |
| removed from the custody of their parents. I believe | | | | want to keep in mind as you petition the courts for |
| a child should be placed with grandparents or a | | | | custody and or visitation: |
| relative before being placed in foster care. | | | | 1. The Courts Will Make The Final Decision The court |
| Kinship care programs refer to the care of children | | | | will take the full responsibility of making the decision |
| provided by a relative other than the parent. | | | | to protect the child against feelings of quilt. |
| Grandparents are playing an increasing part in kinship | | | | 2. The wishes of the child Most states but not all will |
| care of grandchildren due to a family | | | | consider the wishes of the child but will also take into |
| crisis,grandparents being younger and healthier than | | | | consideration the age of the child. Most children need |
| their parents and their ability to raise grandchildren | | | | a relationship with their grandparents and enjoy |
| and growing research that there are benefits for | | | | spending time with them. |
| children to have a relationship with their grandparents. | | | | 3. Type of Custody You as a grandparent should |
| Courts in Kentucky may give grandparents visitation | | | | consider if this arrangement will be a temporary |
| with their grandchildren if it can be determined to be | | | | situation or a permanent one. Knowing this it will be |
| in the child's best interest. You will have to prove this | | | | easier for you to help your grandchild adapt to their |
| relationship. My son is deceased(killed in a car | | | | new surroundings if they will be with you on a full |
| accident)so the courts may give me the same | | | | time basis or helping them to understand how long |
| visitation he would have had as long as child support | | | | they may be with you and away from their parents. |
| is given to help provide support for my grandchildren. | | | | Children love their parents and most of the time they |
| Be careful to check into your states adoption laws. In | | | | will be sad to have to be away from them. You will |
| Kentucky the law states: Adoption cuts off the | | | | play a big part in helping them get through the |
| visitation rights of the grandparents unless the | | | | changes in their lives when they come to live with |
| adoption is granted to a stepparent, and the | | | | you. Loving them unconditionally is very important. I |
| grandparent's child has not had his or her parental | | | | feel like it is best to talk with them about their |
| rights terminated. | | | | parents and not make them feel like that can not |
| Do you know your grandparent visitation rights? Are | | | | about how they feel. If a parent has gone to jail let |
| you or will you be one of the many grandparents | | | | them know how long to expect to be without them |
| raising grandchildren in the near future? If you are at | | | | but let them know if and when they will return. |
| the crossroad of knowing that this is in your near | | | | Sometimes not knowing what is happening is worse |
| future then you should become familiar with your | | | | than dealing with what has happened. Children need |
| rights as a grandparent. | | | | to be told the truth. |
| Most states are allowing grandparents visitation rights | | | | |