Any parent could tell our readers just how tough it can be sometimes to raise a child. However, sometimes it is the parent who is going through tough times and, as a result, the child is the one who needs help. In some cases, that means that a guardian must be...
Removing a guardian in Massachusetts
Many people in Massachusetts regard a guardianship as permanent until the child reaches the age of 18, the age at which the guardianship automatically terminates. However, even though most guardianships provide significant benefits for both the parents and the ward,...
Guardianships and adoptions — what’s the difference?
Many residents of Massachusetts have considered the possibility of becoming a guardian for a minor child or adopting a minor child. Each set of potential parents has its own expectations and wishes about how this addition to their family will affect them. One of the...
Guardianship and government benefits
Many children, particularly special needs children, are eligible for a variety of government benefits at both the state and federal levels. For several reasons, these young residents of Massachusetts may need to have another adult, aside from their parents, take...
What is the difference between adoption and guardianship?
This blog has previously discussed various aspects about guardianship over minor children in Massachusetts. Basically, a guardianship gives a child's loved ones the opportunity to step in and take over parental responsibilities when a parent is unwilling or unable to...
More children are being raised by grandparents
Recent statistics suggest that more and more grandparents, in Massachusetts and elsewhere, are involved in raising their minor grandchildren until they reach adulthood. According to Census statistics, a little over 1 in 20 homes had a grandchild living with at least...
What is limited assistance representation?
It is no secret that hiring an attorney in Massachusetts is costly, even when everyone is being fair and reasonable and everything is being done to save on unnecessary legal expenses. The reality is that litigating a case is just expensive in the current market. For...
How does a temporary guardianship work?
This blog has, on previous occasions, talked about how those who have minor children in their lives who need immediate care can ask to be appointed as those children's guardian. Normally, the process of getting appointed as a child's guardian takes a formal process...
Standard for receiving guardianship without consent
As this blog has discussed on previous occasions, there are many people in Springfield who know children whose parents are simply not willing or not able to care for them properly. Things like drug addiction or mental illness can easily handicap a parent to the point...
What can I do when my special needs child turns 18?
As is the case in most states, a child in Massachusetts will reach an age at which, legally, they have both the right and responsibility to handle their own affairs. In this state, a child who is over 18 is an adult and presumably has the ability to take care of...