Chicago Grandparents’ Rights Lawyers Helping You Understand Your Legal Rights
Grandparents are an important part of the lives of many children. They offer advice, guidance, and support especially when parents aren’t able to be there for children’s needs due to job obligations or health concerns. Grandparents play a vital role in the growth and development of their grandchildren in our fast-paced world. However, even though many grandparents go through great lengths to provide the best for their grandchildren, many grandparents do not get the rights they deserve.
There may come a time where you feel that your grandchild’s parent isn’t able to give what they should to their own child which leaves you wondering what you can do about it. Fortunately, The Law Offices of Robert B. Buchanan helps families navigate these complicated matters with the correct grandparents’ rights lawyer to get the best results for their loved ones.
What are Grandparents’ Rights?
There are times when grandparents can be awarded custody of a child in special circumstances. Grandparents’ rights cover more than grandparent visitation and legal guardianship. It’s important for families to understand what these rights entail and how you can get them if they don’t exist at the moment:
The right of grandparents to visit their grandchild is determined by state law and determined by a court. It can be seen as the time given to grandparents and may not necessarily include physical child custody. Custody doesn’t automatically go to parents, it goes to whoever is deemed appropriate by the court system.
Grandparents may petition for custody of their grandchild if the child’s parents die, go missing, become unfit parents, and more. However, grandparents don’t have automatic rights and will need to prove that they should be allowed legal guardianship of their grandchildren.
There are times when the family is involved in an accident where their mental capacity becomes impaired through dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc., which would make them unable to care for their children without supervision. In these instances, legal rights will need to be transferred to grandparents who can take better care of their grandchildren until they’re able to resume parental responsibilities with proper support. If you’re in need of this type of help, don’t hesitate to seek out our services, and call us at (312) 757-4833.
Can I Legally Do Anything About Relocation?
If your grandchildren’s parents are considering moving to another state, the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. The presiding judge will make a decision based on your case and what is best for everyone involved. However, it is more likely that if the child has been living with you for a length of time, then you will have those rights continued as long as you’re acting in their best interest.
In general, the custodial parent must petition the court for permission before relocating within 50 miles. They would need to show why they want or need to move, if the other parent agrees to the move, their reasons for wanting to leave, and more.
How Can I Get Visitation With My Grandchild?
You can petition for visitation rights with the help of an experienced family attorney who will make sure that your voice is heard in court. You may need to initially prove that you should be allowed any type of rights at all, which can be very difficult due to other parents’ wishes or the if social services are involved.
If a child was removed from their natural parents’ custody, then you can petition based on whether or not you had a relationship with them in the past. A family law attorney is just what you need to ensure your grandchild is in the best hands if you’re trying to seek grandparent custody and become the primary caregiver, are having visitation disputes, or simply want to be involved in the child’s life. Family law attorneys help with all aspects of grandparents’ visitation rights, including:
- Setting up a visitation schedule
- Request visitation to see their grandchild
- Denied visitation
Our goal is in helping with granting grandparents a chance to see their grandchild and offer the child support in any way that we can.
Why Should I Hire a Grandparents’ Right Attorney ?
Family law attorneys can help grandparents who are going through a difficult time trying to get visitation with their grandchildren or have been denied any type of privileges by either the parents or social services. We will fight for you and your grandchild if they’ve been removed from your care due to safety concerns, lack of stability, drug abuse, and more. We will also help those children placed in foster care after being removed from their parent’s custody.
Grandparent visitation rights are sometimes requested by the non-custodial parent to ensure the safety and physical health of their child. Children that are legally separated from their parents, still need parenting time in which grandparents’ rights step in, and allow for a familiar face to help them during their time of need. Don’t settle for anything less than an experienced family law attorney on your side. Contact us today at (312) 757-4833.