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Grandparents' Rights

Concerned about your grandchildren’s well-being? Contact us today to explore your legal options regarding custody rights.

Grandparents and grandchildren can develop strong relationships. That relationship can be strained or interfered with in the event a parent dies or becomes impaired, there’s a divorce, or a family conflict arises, and the result of any of the latter tears the family apart or severs the grandparents’ relationship. This can be traumatizing for the grandchild. 

Many clients want to know what rights grandparents have. Our clients are both parents who want to block contact between a grandparent and your child and grandparents who want to take legal steps to maintain contact with the child or even, in some cases, fight for legal rights.

At Raver Rawlings & Parker PLLC, we understand the delicate nature of these types of cases and work hard to establish your legal rights and then safeguard them. We always keep what’s in the best interest of the child as the foundation of our work. Contact our family law lawyers in Pennsylvania today either by filling out our online form or calling us direct at (412) 712-0011 to schedule a consultation. 

Until 40 years ago, grandparent rights were unheard of. However, when grandparents are involved in the lives of their grandchildren, strong bonds often form. When impairment, death, or divorce threaten to separate them from their grandchildren, many grandparents today turn to the law to help them maintain a relationship with their grandchildren. 

Pennsylvania provides statutory guidance on the ability of grandparents to have visitation or custody––though it is not always as inclusive as the grandparents want it to be. It truly is a state by state issue, and knowing the laws in your state is essential to understanding what rights grandparents have in your jurisdiction.

Our grandparent rights attorneys in western Pennsylvania will help you understand your rights––whether you are the parent or the grandparent.

There are certain factors most courts take into consideration when determining whether or not a grandparent should be allowed visitation rights. Common factors include:

  • Best Interest of the Child: The court will consider whether or not it is in the best interest of the child to have visitation with the grandparent.
  • Previous Relationship: The court will look at the relationship between the grandparent and the grandchild to determine the nature of the relationship and whether or not the relationship should continue. 
  • Child’s Preference: When the grandchild is older, the court may take into consideration whether or not they wish to have visitation with their grandparent.
  • Parental Involvement: Are both parents alive and active in the child’s life? Are the parents fit custodians of the child? Are the parents together, separated, or divorced? These are all matters the court will consider.

Most jurisdictions hold that when a child is adopted and the biological parents’ rights are terminated, so are the rights of the biological grandparents. This means that the biological grandparents are not able to seek visitation rights with the child. 

Due to the holding in Troxel vs. Granville, 530 U.S. 57 (2000), the courts also place great weight on a parent’s right to make decisions regarding their child. It is seen as a fundamental right of a parent to oversee the care, custody, and control of their child, and that means they should have the right to decide who is allowed to have visitation with their child. 

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Facing a family law matter in Pennsylvania? Raver Rawlings & Parker PLLC provides compassionate and experienced legal counsel during challenging times. We offer confidential consultations to discuss your unique situation and explore your options. Contact us today to schedule a convenient appointment.

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