As a result of the opioid epidemic sweeping the state, more and more grandparents, other family members and neighbors are becoming primary caregivers of minor children when parents are absent and cannot be located. Recent statistics from Grandfamilies.org show that 103,000 children in Pennsylvania live with a relative with no parent present and more than 88,000 grandparents are householders responsible for their grandchildren who live with them.

Act 21 of 2018, which went into effect in Pennsylvania on July 3, 2018, expands who can request custody of a minor child when the parents cannot be located, especially in regard to grandparents, great-grandparents and other parties. For more information click here.

Lamb McErlane PC partner Lawrence (Skip) Persick serves as Co-Chair on the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s (PBA) Family Law Section’s Legislative Committee and is a member of the PBA Family Law Section’s Council.  He collaborated with the PBA Community and Public Relations Committee on the public education project in connection with the newly enacted legislation on custody standing, Act 21.

Skip also wrote the article ‘Governor Wolf Signs Bill Expanding Standing for Grandparents and Other Third Parties in Custody Cases’ which was published in the Law Weekly / Legal Intelligencer.

At Lamb McErlane PC, Skip is credited for his ability to efficiently and discreetly resolve complex family law issues, represents clients involved in divorces, custody disputes, child support matters and adoptions. His experience also includes cases dealing with juvenile dependency and the termination of parental rights.

PDF of brochure from the PBA.

Grandparents and Custody Broc 8-2018 v2