SeniorLAW Center offers free CLE training during National Pro Bono Week 2021

The Nuts and Bolts of Representing Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Over 100,000 children in Pennsylvania are being raised by grandparents when birth parents are unable. Parental absence occurs for a variety of reasons, including addiction, incarceration, illness, or death. Therefore, grandfamilies are created due to familial trauma, which may be further exacerbated if they have legal needs regarding custody, but no access to advice, counsel, and/or representation. The Secretary of Aging estimates that grandparents in Pennsylvania are saving the Commonwealth at least $1 billion by serving in this role, avoiding foster care and other costs.

Join us to learn procedures and practice tips to effectively advocate for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in custody matters. We will explore the needs and challenges of these intergenerational families, relevant statutes regarding third-party custody, including the issue of standing, and provide practical information on how to prepare and file an action in court to help strengthen these families and provide permanency planning for children at risk. Moreover, we will provide samples of all required documents. The focus will be Philadelphia County; however, we will provide a brief overview regarding the neighboring counties and how they differ in their procedures as well.

Grandparents raising grandchildren often face unique obstacles as third parties in custody disputes, and after receiving the knowledge and tools provided in this CLE, you will be well-equipped to join the effort to support this vulnerable population and the heroic role grandparents are taking on. Pro bono attorneys make an enormous difference in the lives of these families at both ends of the life cycle. We hope you will join us in this work.

Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Time: 10:00 am
Duration: 60 min to earn 1 Substantive Credit
Cost: FREE
Presenters: Janine Dunlap Kiah, Esq., Project Director, SeniorLAW Center; Heather Kelly, Esq., Staff Attorney, SeniorLAW Center
How: Zoom Video Conference (Link provided upon registration)
Advance Registration Required

To Register:

For questions, please contact: Heather Kelly, Esq., hkelly@seniorlawcenter.org, or visit https://seniorlawcenter.org/events/.