Just when you thought you’ve retired, life throws you a curveball. In Georgia, grandparents often step in to raise their grandchildren during challenging times. Whether the child’s parent is battling drug addiction, has passed away, or is otherwise unable to care for their children, grandparents frequently provide the loving and stable environment these children need.
However, informal caregiving can leave both grandparents and the children vulnerable. Legal adoption requires commitment to raise the child through age 18, but offers security, giving grandparents full parental rights while protecting the child’s future.
If you are a grandparent considering adoption in Georgia, here’s what you need to know.
If you're a grandparent raising your grandchild, contact Sharon Jackson Attorney
today to discuss your adoption options..
Grandparents often step into the parental role due to circumstances such as:
While informal caregiving is common, formal adoption provides legal and practical benefits, including:
Ready to secure your grandchild’s future? Learn how we can help. Schedule a consultation today.
Adopting as a grandparent involves several steps:
This is a confusing and stressful process that you likely never anticipated or planned for. You simply want to do the right thing by your grandchild. We can help! For guidance and representation throughout this process, talk to Attorney Sharon Jackson for trusted legal support.
Georgia law recognizes the importance of grandparent caregivers. According to Georgia Code 19-8-7 (a), a grandparent may adopt a child if the child’s living parents or guardian has surrendered parental rights to the grandparent. If the child is 14 years old or older, their written consent to their adoption will be needed to complete the process.
In some cases, a parent may object to having their child adopted by a relative. For grandparents facing this challenge, it’s crucial to have a family law attorney who can show the court that the parent(s) are unable to properly care for the child. For instance, the parent may have abused the child or abandoned the child in the care of the grandparents.
In such cases, the court may terminate the parent’s parental rights, allowing the grandparent to proceed with the adoption process without needing the parent’s consent.
Adoption permanently severs the legal relationship between the child and their biological parent(s), which is an important consideration.
If you’re a grandparent raising your grandchild, you’re not alone. There are resources available to help you navigate this journey:
Adopting a grandchild can be a complex process, but you don’t have to face it alone. We understand that many grandparents have never had to hire a lawyer in their entire life and don’t know what to expect. It is our privilege to help you. Attorney Sharon Jackson has extensive experience in family law, helping grandparents in Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta achieve legal rights and stability for their families.
To discuss your case and learn how adoption can benefit your family, contact Attorney Sharon Jackson today. Let’s work together to provide the security and stability your grandchild deserves.
As a divorce and child custody attorney in Gwinnett County, Attorney Sharon Jackson is ready to guide you. Call (678) 909-4100 today to schedule a consultation.
Attorney Sharon Jackson LLC
175 Langley Drive, Suite A1
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: (678) 909-4100