ST. LOUIS, Missouri. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, every day 115 people die due to opioid overdose. As more families and individuals are impacted by drug abuse and the opioid crisis, families are facing tough custody decisions. When parents are addicted to drugs or opioids, the government may remove children from their homes. However, children don’t always have to live with strangers.
Child custody decisions are among some of the tough choices that families touched by the opioid crisis must face. According to CBS News, more grandparents are taking custody of their children’s children. If both parents struggle with opioid addiction, grandparents often take the role of caring for children to protect the children from entering the foster care or adoption system. Grandparents sometimes take over the care of the children without involving the formal foster care system, but sometimes involving the system can be financially beneficial. When grandparents take over the care of the children through foster care, the government will provide the grandparents with a stipend. This money can be incredibly important when it comes to providing for the children’s basic needs, especially if grandparents are retired. The foster system can also provide the children and the grandparents with services to help children cope with the trauma that arises when a parent suffers from addiction. Sometimes it’s not just the children who need support, but the grandparents too, who may be struggling with the stress of raising young children, failing health, and struggling with concerns for their addicted children.
When grandparents take over child custody, the child’s parents can often get the help they need with the solace that their children are being cared for by family. This can often help them in the recovery process. However, the recovery process can be long, and many family members who take over custody need to understand that they may have custody of the children for some time.
When one parent suffers from opioid addiction and the other parent does not and is willing to care for the children, often the court’s decision is a little easier. Opioid addiction can have an impact on child custody decisions. While the courts tend to favor the children having a relationship with both parents, if one parent poses a risk or danger to the child, the courts may limit the child’s contact with that parent. However, parents can improve their chances of getting visitation rights or even custody if they can show the courts that they are in recovery and that their situation is stable.
The Behrens Law Firm, L.L.C. is a divorce lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri who works with families who are facing child custody issues due to addiction. The thought of losing your children to the system can be frightening. Fortunately, there are other options. If you need a family member to care for your children while you receive treatment, the family lawyers at the Behrens Law Firm, L.L.C. in St. Louis, Missouri can help you navigate the system and understand the options available to you.
Behrens Law Firm, L.L.C.
75 West Lockwood Avenue
Suite #222
Webster Groves, MO 63119
314-786-3263
