Judgment Against Grandparents in Child Custody Fight
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We sometimes meet with grandparents who are worried about their child’s ability to raise their grandchildren. Sometimes the grandparents are in a child custody fight. Most often they are genuinely concerned about real shortcomings. Occasionally their complaint is really about access being cut off. But last week we read a story about a grandmother and […]
Grandparent Guardianship Order Reversed
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We regularly talk with grandparents who are distressed about how their grandchildren are being raised. Wouldn’t it be better, they ask, if the child could live in a stable, loving home? Particularly in those cases where they have been raising their grandchildren for years already? Parents’ rights Our usual answer: not unless both parents agree, […]
529 Plans: Saving for Your Grandchild’s Education Costs
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Last week, while writing about Arizona’s new ABLE Act accounts, we realized we have not focused on Section 529 plans before. Let’s take care of that now. What is a 529 plan? Pardon us for starting off all wonky. “529” refers to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. That tax law makes tax-advantaged education […]
Intestate Succession Rules Can Be Tricky to Apply
APRIL 4, 2016 VOLUME 23 NUMBER 13 March was “Write-a-Will” month (sometimes referred to as “Why a Will” month). Though we’ve never understood the difference, August will be “Make a Will” month again this and every year. In the United Kingdom, every March and October are “Free Wills” months. Or is it April?Or is that […]
Court Orders Weekly Visitation for Grandmother of Child
NOVEMBER 30, 2015 VOLUME 22 NUMBER 44 When Mary Lansing (not her real name) gave birth to a daughter in August, 2013, her boyfriend (and the father of her daughter) was already in prison. Four months later, she filed a paternity action naming her boyfriend, and sought a court order granting her sole legal decision […]
Lessons From a Day in Probate Court
JULY 7, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 24 One day last week I found myself sitting in probate court, watching other cases get resolved while waiting for the Judge to get to my own cases. The matters I was listening to seemed to me to be instructive, and give me a chance to share some observations […]
Custody of Grandchild Requires Court Consideration of Best Interests
AUGUST 19, 2013 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 31 National Grandparents Day is September 8th this year. That should serve as a reminder for us to consider changing demographics: grandparents (and great-grandparents) are living longer, and increasingly fractured families are changing our expectations and default assumptions about caring for children. More grandchildren are being raised by their […]
“Grandma, it’s me and I need your help.” Don’t Be Fooled By This Scam
APRIL 2, 2012 VOLUME 19 NUMBER 13 We have been hearing lately about a scam that targets seniors. You get a telephone call from a number you don’t recognize. When you answer, the person on the other line says: “Grandma, it’s me, and I need your help.” You learn that your grandchild has been detained […]