Lawrenceville Grandparent Rights Attorney
Grandparents often have a special bond with their grandchildren. In most cases, grandchildren benefit from having a close relationship with their grandparents. But, unfortunately, circumstances may arise that separate a grandparent from a grandchild.
At Crystal Wright Law, our Lawrenceville grandparent rights attorney works with grandparents seeking visitation rights with their grandchildren. The welfare of your child is the top priority for our Lawrenceville family law attorney. If the parties cannot agree to settle a dispute, we are prepared to take the matter to court.
Contact our law office at (404)594-2143 to free schedule a consultation with our Lawrenceville grandparents’ rights lawyer. We provide compassionate legal advice to help you seek the outcome you deserve in Lawrenceville, GA.
How Our Lawrenceville Family Law Lawyers Help Grandparents Seek Visitation and Child Custody
The issue of grandparents’ visitation rights is complicated. Generally, parents have the right to decide if a grandparent visits their child. The courts presume parents know what is best for the health and welfare of their children.
The Lawrenceville grandparents’ rights attorney of Crystal Wright Law understands that this legal matter can be emotionally charged for all parties. Therefore, we provide support, guidance, and legal counsel to help you through this difficult situation.
When you hire our legal team in Lawrenceville, Georgia, you can expect us to:
- Review your case and provide an honest assessment of your legal options
- Explain Georgia’s laws regarding grandparent visitation
- Discuss ways that you might obtain visitation with your grandchildren
- Investigate the matter to determine whether you have the legal standing to petition family courts for grandparent rights
- Gather evidence and build a compelling case for visitation or child custody
Contact our Lawrenceville grandparent visitation attorney for more information about your legal rights as a grandparent.
Can a Grandparent Obtain Visitation Rights in Georgia?
Grandparents do not have an automatic right to see their grandchildren. However, under Georgia law, grandparents have the right to petition the court for visitation. In some cases, grandparents have the right to petition the court for custody.
Family courts in Gwinnett County recognize that severing the grandparent-grandchild relationship could affect the child negatively.
For example, removing a grandparent from a child’s life may result in:
- Emotional distress
- Separation anxiety
- Mental trauma
However, if both parents live with the child and the parents are fit, courts will not consider a grandparent’s petition for visitation. Situations in which the courts may grant grandparent visitation include:
- A parent has died and the other parent cuts off visitation with the grandparent
- The grandchild has been cared for of lived with the grandparent
- The parents are separated or divorced
- A parent’s rights have been terminated and the other parent refuses visitation with the grandparent
Regardless of the circumstances, the court will always consider the best interest of the child when deciding visitation cases. The judge considers whether the child would be harmed if the child is denied visitation with the grandparent.
What Factors Impact the Decision in a Grandparent Rights Case?
Generally, judges use factors from the same guidelines they use to decide parenting time when deciding grandparent visitation cases.
Factors that the judge may consider include, but are not limited to:
- The age and health of the grandparents and the child
- The ability of the grandparents to care for the grandchild during visitation
- The pre-existing relationship between the child and the grandparent
- The distance and location between the residences
- The reasonable wishes of the grandchildren
- The child lived with the grandparent for six or more months
- The grandparents provided financial support for the child’s needs for at least one year
- The child may suffer emotional or physical harm if visitation is denied
Even though a grandparent may have a strong case for visitation, the parent’s wishes may take priority over other considerations. However, it is ultimately up to the judge to determine whether it is in the child’s best interest to order grandparent visitation.
How Can I Prove I Had a Close Relationship with My Grandchildren?
One element of a grandparent rights case is proving a pre-existing relationship with your grandchild. Evidence that might be used to prove this factor includes, but is not limited to:
- Records of communication between you and your grandchild, including telephone calls, letters, text messages, social media posts, etc.
- Statements from your grandchild
- Videos and photographs of you and your grandchildren participating in activities
- Receipts and other evidence of attendance at the child’s activities
- Statements from eyewitnesses and other family members
- Evaluations from a therapist, counselor, or child psychologist
Our Lawrenceville grandparent rights attorney can help you gather information and evidence. We work with you to prove that you and your grandchild had a close relationship.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lawrenceville Grandparent Rights Lawyers
Grandparent-grandchild relationships are important to both individuals. Contact our Lawrenceville family law attorney to discuss your legal options if you want to seek grandparent rights in Georgia.
Visit Our Divorce & Family Law Office in Lawrenceville, GA
Crystal Wright Law
440 S. Perry Street Suite 105, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(404) 594-2143
Our Family Law law firm in Lawrenceville also provides:
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