What are the main sorts of things the Department and Court might be worried about?
I’m concerned about my grandchildren. They live with their mother and her new boyfriend. Their father is our son and he always tells us about the kids missing school and living in a pigsty. Should I tell the department?
Lawyer Answers (1): Answers from lawyers are general preliminary responses. They are not formal legal advice and cannot taken account of all your circumstances. They do not create a lawyer–client relationship.
- Some issues the Department and Court will be concerned about are:
- Drug or Alcohol use by parents or caregivers;
- Children being neglected. For example, not being fed properly, not being cared for, being left unsupervised;
- Physical violence toward children;
- Sexual abuse of children;
- Children being exposed to family or domestic violence;
- If the primary caregivers die or are sent to jail and there is nobody to care for the children;
- If the child is not getting some or all or its physical, psychological, emotional or educational needs met;
- These are only examples. One or more of these may be relevant in your case. Each case is different and it is often best not to try and compare your situation to others.