What Rights Do Grandparents Have After Their Kid's Divorce?
Under Massachusetts law, grandparents may obtain visitation rights after their adult children have divorced or separated or if the parent of the child dies. If the child was born outside of marriage, paternity must be established before paternal grandparents will receive visitation rights. In all matters relating to grandparents' rights, the courts take into account the best interest of the child.
I am grandparents' rights lawyer John Hoffman of the Massachusetts family Law Offices of John Hoffman in Sharon. If you are the grandparent of a child involved in a divorce or paternity matter, you have the right to fight for visitation rights. In many cases, you must show that you have established an important relationship with the child, prior to the dissolution of the relationship between the parents. Contact my offices to schedule a consultation with me. We will sit down together and talk about what your grandchild means to you and what evidence we can show that the child will be harmed if you are unable to continue a nurturing relationship.
What Will You Have to Do to Get Visitation Time with Your Grandchild?
The law does not describe particular conditions you must meet in order to obtain grandparents' rights for visitation. Generally, if you are able to show any of the following, a visitation schedule will be arranged, even if the custodial parent may try to prevent it:
- You have played an important role in the financial and physical support of the child.
- You had a nurturing relationship with the child that included regular visits and contact.
- The child recognizes you as an important, nurturing person in his or her life.
- You have a familial relationship with the child, through bloodline or step-family.
As a practicing family law attorney for more than 28 years, I have seen first-hand how important grandparents are in the lives of young children. Let me help you continue your relationship, even if the parents can't get along.
Contact me to schedule an opportunity to sit down and discuss your relationship with your grandchild and how you can obtain visitation rights after a divorce or the dissolution of a relationship. I represent grandparents in Sharon, Dedham, and communities throughout Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties.
