What rights and responsibilities do grandparents have when it comes to making medical decisions for their grandchild?

In South Carolina, when it comes to making medical decisions for their grandchild, grandparents have limited rights and responsibilities. When it comes to the decision-making process, the parent is generally given priority. Grandparents, while not legally-recognized decision-makers, may serve as a medical decision-maker with the permission of the parent. This may include permission to provide and discuss medical care with the child’s healthcare provider. In some cases, grandparents may also be medical decision-makers in the event that the child’s parent is unavailable or incapacitated. Grandparents may also be able to make decisions regarding consent for medical procedures, such as surgery, depending on the circumstances. This is usually done with the permission of the child’s parent, or in the event the parent is not available. However, even if grandparents are granted permission to make medical decisions, they still may not have the right to override medical decisions made by the parent. For example, if the parent says no to a medical procedure, the grandparent cannot override that decision. Ultimately, when it comes to making decisions for their grandchildren on medical matters, grandparents in South Carolina typically have the responsibility to support the decisions made by the child’s parent or guardian. This can include providing advice and offering support when desired.

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What rights and responsibilities do grandparents have when it comes to making medical decisions for their grandchild?

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