More than 200,000 children under the age of 18 are living in households headed by their grandparents, according to the Illinois Dept. on Aging. Milly Kaiser, a life educator with the University of Illinois Extension, told Suburban Journals that this number has increased by more than 50 percent in Illinois over the past 13 years.
Older adults find themselves in the position of raising their children's children for a variety of reasons and circumstances. In order to ensure the child's needs are properly taken care of, it helps to contact an Illinois family law attorney and establish legal guardianship.
The Dept. of Aging lists the following reasons why grandparents often find themselves raising their grandchildren: Abuse, neglect, substance abuse, unemployment, incarceration and death.
The Suburban Journals article profiles Granite City High School sophomore Tara Vaughn, who has been raised by her grandparents ever since she was 5 months old. She said she has gotten attached to them "like they're actually parents."
While there are significant challenges for older adults rearing children, ranging from financial difficulties to the physical demands and lifestyle changes that accompany parenthood. But some of the biggest hurdles are legal, according to Milly Kaiser.
Philip and Patricia Vaughn weren't satisfied with a legal guardianship of Tara Vaughn and her older brother. Patricia Vaughn explained:
"I wouldn't take guardianship. I told them it had to be complete adoption or nothing."
The formal adoption process took several years to complete, she said. Patricia took care of the day-to-day childcare duties while Phillip Vaughn worked at the Hazelwood Ford plant until his retirement in 2006.
The Vaughns didn't indicate why they opted for a formal adoption instead of a legal guardianship. Chicago family law attorneys can help you understand the pros and cons of each process and what might be best for your family.
Related Resources:
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Consult with an Illinois Family Lawyer (FindLaw)
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Responsibility of Grandparents When Teenagers Have Children (FindLaw KnowledgeBase)
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