While the relentless drug epidemic remains a serious issue in Ohio, many grandparents are finding themselves trading in retirement packages for parent-teacher conferences.  In an effort to keep their loved ones out of the foster care system, more and more grandparents are raising grandchildren and taking on parental responsibilities.  Lardiere McNair is here to fight for you and your family, ensuring ambition and compassion throughout a difficult adjustment of obtaining grandparent’s custody and rights.

The protective-service system can be a daunting process and unfortunately, Ohio “is not among the 35 states that provide subsidies to caregiver families who meet requirements similar to foster parents.”  While ongoing support and programs are still needed, Ohio families who offer a permanent home to a child can receive some state assistance that can help grandparents with the budget that is necessary to feed, clothe and educate the children.[1]   Moreover, research has shown that kids react better with kinship arrangements than foster homes because they are in a family home with stability and emotional support.

At Lardiere McNair, our team is experienced in obtaining legal custody for grandparents who believe their grandchild’s parents are unsuitable.  While unsuitability varies from case to case and must be determined by the courts, our domestic team has the determination and persistence it takes in finding the ultimate outcome for the best interest of the child.

Parents have special protections to raise their own children and therefore the fundamental rule is the custody, care and nurture of the child lies first with the parents.  However, by showing the court a parent’s lack of suitability such as abandonment, incapability of care for the child or detrimental custody, grandparents have a fighting chance at saving their grandchildren from further harm.

When a grandparent needs support and assistance in navigating the justice system for the best interest of their grandchildren, Lardiere McNair is here to be a voice and advocate for them.  If you believe you need a helping hand in this difficult transition, come meet with our dedicated domestic team.

[1] https://jfs.ohio.gov/ocf/kinship_care.stm

Annemarie Gill is a Law Clerk at Lardiere McNair, LLC.  To read more about our firm, please visit www.lmcounsel.com.

The information presented here has been prepared by Lardiere McNair for promotional and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.  This information is not intended to provide, and receipt of it does not constitute, legal advice.  Nor does the receipt of this material create an attorney/client relationship.  An attorney client relationship is not established until such time as Lardiere McNair enters in to a written engagement agreement with a specific client for a specific legal matter.

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