Many grandparents play a vital part in their grandchildren's lives. In certain cases, grandparents may find their roles drastically reduced. For example, when parents divorce or separate, grandparents who were once very active in their grandchildren's lives may lose access to their grandchildren. Other situations include the death or incarceration of a parent. If you are a grandparent who wants to seek greater involvement in your grandchildren's lives, it is important to discuss your situation with an experienced lawyer. The family law attorneys of Maynard & Sumner, LLC, can help you discover what options you have as you seek quality time with your grandchildren.
Naturally, grandparents do not ordinarily have the same standing that parents have when seeking visitation rights with their grandchildren. Under certain conditions, however, grandparents do have rights to visitation under New Jersey law. Grandparents must show that visitation is in the best interests of the children. The best interests of the child are based on a number of factors, including:
- The relationship between the child and grandparents;
- The relationship between each of the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing and the grandparents;
- The time that has elapsed since the child last had contact with the grandparent;
- The effect that such visitation will have on the relationship between the child and the child's parents;
- If the parents are divorced or separated, the time sharing arrangement that exists between the parents with regard to the child;
- The good faith of the grandparent in filing the application;
- Any history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect by the grandparent
Further, grandparents are required to show that denial of visitation is detrimental to the child. If you were the primary caretaker for your grandchildren, courts will likely presume that visitation is in the grandchildren's best interests. Our law firm will help you understand your rights and advise you of your options.
Contact Our Morris County Child Visitation Lawyer
If you wish to discuss your situation with an experienced New Jersey grandparent rights attorney, contact us online or call 973-540-0054 today. We provide a free initial consultation.
