Caring for your grandchild: Applying for guardianship

Questioner

LS 2 weeks ago my girlfriend unexpectedly became the caregiver of her 9-year-old grandchild. Before that she lived with her father, who has custody?, and who is now no longer able to care for his child. Her mother, who lives in Belgium, is also unable to care for her. Now my question is how the grandmother can obtain authority over the child (guardianship or some other way?), so that she can make all the necessary decisions for her grandchild herself, without having to ask the father's permission every time. Bvd

Lawyer

Parents are legally obliged to care for their children. In most cases, both parents have parental authority. To obtain custody of the child, a petition to the judge is required. The judge will ask Youth Care for a report. I advise your girlfriend to contact a lawyer. She may be eligible for subsidized legal aid. She can contact one of the lawyers on this website, a legal aid clinic or law clinic in her area or Het Juridisch Loket (0900 8020) or: http://www.juridischloket.nl/Pages/default.asp