| Can grandparents be awarded custody of their | | | | their child or other children. |
| grandchild? The fundamental rights of caring for a | | | | The other parent will be the sole legal guardian of the |
| child usually belong to the parents, but grandparents | | | | child, if one parent's rights are terminated. However, |
| can have custodial rights under special circumstances. | | | | the grandparents, aunts, uncles, other family |
| To earn the custodial rights, the court must be | | | | members, or someone else will be granted the child |
| convinced that the child will be in danger in the | | | | custody, if both parents' rights are terminated. |
| absence of grandparents' visitation. For instance, if | | | | How do you get appointed as guardian? The court |
| both of the parents are seriously injured, the court | | | | will conduct an investigation of potential guardians to |
| may grant the custodial rights to the grandparents. | | | | determine the social, financial, physical, and mental |
| Furthermore, the court may terminate parental rights | | | | conditions. The court usually wants to make sure that |
| under these following situations. | | | | the potential guardian can support the child. The |
| - The parents agree to terminate their parental rights. | | | | guardianship will remain in effect until the child turns |
| - The parents have abandoned their child. | | | | eighteen, or the guardian resigns. |
| - The child and parents do not have ongoing | | | | Furthermore, if the child has only one parent, a |
| relationship. | | | | grandparent may apply for a Co-Guardian. A |
| - The parents can not provide the safety | | | | co-guardian shares the legal custody of the child with |
| environment to the child. | | | | the sole parent. |
| - The parents abuse or attempt to seriously hurt | | | | |