Pennsylvania is expanding a free legal service for grandparents raising their grandchildren, offering statewide support for older caregivers navigating complex family and court issues.
Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich announced the expansion of the PA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line, a first-of-its-kind phone service staffed by attorneys from the SeniorLAW Center. The hotline provides legal information, advice, referrals, and guidance on custody and other matters related to kinship care.
“A growing number of grandparents in Pennsylvania are becoming a parent for the second time as they make the selfless choice to raise their grandchildren,” Kavulich said. “While supporting their adult child with a substance use disorder, coping with an unfortunate death or other circumstances they could not predict, grandparents in this position are often faced with suddenly having to navigate unfamiliar systems.”
Grandparents and other older caregivers can call 1-877-727-7529 for assistance on civil matters, including custody and dependency issues, guidance for representing themselves in family court, and support in preparing legal documents. Callers can also access information on kinship caregiver programs, support groups, and other community resources.
Previously serving only the Philadelphia region, a grant from the Department of Aging has allowed the service to expand to all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
Karen Buck, Executive Director of SeniorLAW Center, praised the expansion: “The law affects all of our lives dramatically, but particularly those who are low-income, vulnerable, or older.”
Currently, approximately 83,000 grandparents in Pennsylvania serve as kinship caregivers—alongside aunts, uncles, adult siblings, and close family friends—caring for nearly 260,000 children. Many of these families interact regularly with the state’s court system, according to state data.
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd added, “Older Pennsylvanians are often among our most vulnerable citizens, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have access to justice and protections against abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.”
For more information or to access the legal line, grandparents and caregivers can call 1-877-727-7529.
