They do however still retain parental rights and may be given visitation privileges by the court. The parents of the children may be required to pay child support to the grandparents or the state for the care of the children. Permanent custody is given if the court feels that the parents can not or will not comply with the parental rehabilitation plan set by the court. However even with so called permanent guardianship the Parents of the children have the right to petition the court and be heard if they feel they have rehabilitated themselves and are able to parent the children. If in fact the court feels the parents are ready and able to properly care for their children, they may be returned to the parents custody and the grandparents guardianship is terminated.
Some grandparents choose to adopt their grandchildren.
The rights of the parents of the children are terminated and the grandchildren become the legal children of the grandparents. Adoption is the only true permanent custody a grandparent can have to keep custody of their grandchildren. Once an adoption is complete the former parents of the child have no rights or responsibility to the children.