Pittsburgh Grandparent Custody Rights Attorney

GRANDPARENTS CUSTODY AND VISITATION RIGHTS

Here at Cook & Tate, we understand that family relationships can become very complicated. Family bonds can be strained by divorce, neglect, drug abuse or even the death of a party. As a grandparent, you may have custody and/or visitation rights with you grandchildren in Pennsylvania. You may not be forced to give up the relationship that you have forged with you grandchildren.

When is it appropriate to seek grandparents rights?

When a parent has passed away
If one of the child's parents is deceased, the parent of the deceased parent may be granted reasonable partial custody and/or visitation rights with the child, in some cases. Taking into consideration the previous relationship between the grandparent and the child, if the court believes that it is in best interest of the child and will not interfere with the relationship between the surviving parent and the child, the court may grant partial custody and/ or visitation rights to the grandparent.

When the parents divorce or separate
Pennsylvania courts may grant visitation rights and/or partial custody rights to the grandparent of the child during a divorce proceeding or after the parties have been separated for six months. In making this determination, the court will consider the contact between the grandparents and the child prior to the divorce or separation and, as always, the best interest of the child. The court will also want to be insured that the granting of custody and/ or visitation rights will not interfere with the child's relationship with his or her parent(s).

When the child has lived with his or her grandparents
If, for a period of twelve months or more, a child has lived with his or her grandparents and the grandparent has provided for the child's physical, emotional and social needs and then the child is removed from the home by a parent, the court may grant the grandparent partial or full physical custody, partial or full legal custody and/or visitation with the child. The court will consider the best interests of the child and want to make sure that the relationship between the parent and child will not be disrupted.

When the child is at risk due to abuse, neglect, drug/ alcohol abuse and or mental illness
When a grandparent has assumed the responsibilities of a child who would otherwise be at substantial risk due to his or her parent's physical abuse, neglect, drug or alcohol abuse and or mental illness, the court may grant the grandparent partial or full physical custody, partial or full legal custody and/or visitation with the child.

The family law attorneys at Cook & Tate are prepared to lead you through the maze of legal issues surrounding grandparent custody rights.

Contact a Pittsburgh Custody Attorney Today

Our Pennsylvania family law attorneys are committed to providing exceptional service to their clients. Contacting our Divorce Attorneys will ease the tension that family law issues can often present.