Is a grandparent required to pay child support if they get custody of a grandchild?

In Tennessee, the answer to the question of whether a grandparent needs to pay child support if they receive custody of a grandchild depends on the particular situation. If the grandparent obtains legal guardianship of a grandchild, they may be required to pay child support if the grandchild’s parents are still alive and the grandparent is responsible for the child’s welfare. If the grandparent was granted guardianship through the court system, they are required to follow court orders, which may include providing support for the grandchild. Otherwise, the grandparent is not legally obligated to pay child support. In addition, there are certain circumstances that may allow the grandparent to obtain legal custody without the biological parents’ consent. In Tennessee, the Grandparents Rights Law allows a grandparent to petition for custody if the parents are found to be unfit or if the child is being neglected or abused. A court may grant legal custody in these cases, but again, the grandparent is not required to pay child support. Ultimately, the issue of child support for grandparents with custody of a grandchild is determined case-by-case in Tennessee. If a grandparent has been granted guardianship or custody by the court, they may be responsible for providing support. However, even in these cases, the payment of child support is not an automatic requirement.

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Is a grandparent required to pay child support if they get custody of a grandchild?

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