Knowing Grandparents and Third-Party Custody/Visitation Agreements

Whenever two people are active in a separation and divorce process within the state of Pennsylvania, the matter obviously centers around the husband and wife involved, yet in addition it has an effect on the remainder of a family. Not surprisingly the breakup is always going to have a big effect on the children, and this is true regardless of whether the married couple are parting ways on good terms. But the rest of the extended family will also be impacted, and this is especially true for the grandparents in many cases. Grandparents will often play a really big role in the lives of their grandchildren, and they normally build extremely close connections which may come under threat in the event the mothers and fathers of the children experience a divorce process.

Happily, nearly all divorcing partners who may have dependent children are actually well aware of the grandparent/grandchild bonds that exist, and so the individuals concerned typically keep the doors to grandparent visitation open quite voluntarily. Having said that, their will be instances when there may be an objection by one or both of the respective parents regarding the visitation rights of grandparents or perhaps other involved third parties. In the state of Pennsylvania grandparents can certainly petition the court to request visitation rights, and also partial custody under certain circumstances. These circumstances can include the times when a parent is deceased; when the couple is no longer living together, whether it is caused by divorce or a separation for a minimum of 6 months; and in circumstances when the child or children have lived with the grandparent or grandparents for a period of not less than 1 year prior to a parent assuming primary custody.

Pennsylvania legislation is rather generous with regards to the approving of visitation rights to grandparents. Even so, grandparents that are wanting sole physical and legal custody of children any time a parent or parents has that custodianship and has no desire for relinquishing it are going to have to show that the custodial father or mother is actually not fit. Grandparents could also be granted custody if they have already been serving as primary caregivers for a period of no less than one year. The court always recognizes the inherent rights of the mother and father, which means that any third party looking for custody, which includes grandparents, is going to need to present incredibly strong evidence that a modification of custodianship will be in the interest of the child or children involved.

When you have questions or concerns about grandparents and third-party custody/visitation, speak to a Pittsburgh family attorney to arrange for a complimentary discussion. The best divorce lawyer Pittsburgh will provide you with the help you need with all aspects of a Pittsburgh PA divorce.