Judgment Against Grandparents in Child Custody Fight
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
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
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 […]
