When grandparents unreasonably have their ability to visit with their loved ones taken away by a parent, the state of California does have legal provisions for them to secure visitation rights. While the criteria for qualifying are very specific, grandparents who have been impacted by a divorce case may be able to continue to see their grandchildren through these special legal circumstances. If you would like to find out if you are eligible to obtain these visitation orders, speak with a reputable Murrieta family law attorney.
At the Westover Law Group, we work hard to protect the rights of those who have been impacted by a divorce by putting the law on their side. We strive to provide each of our clients with legal counsel that is tailored to their exact needs by providing clients with all legal avenues for their case. Our attorneys have earned several major distinctions, including a 10.0 rating from Avvo, an AV Preeminent rating* from Martindale-Hubbell, and have been named one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.
Call Westover Law Group at 951-894-8440 or send us an email; we’re here to take your call 24/7.
Qualifying To File For Grandparents’ Visitation Rights
If you are a grandparent whose ability to visit with your grandchildren has been denied, an attorney can help you determine if you qualify to file for legal visitation rights. This usually requires that the parents of the grandchildren be divorced, but there are some exceptions.
- You may be able to file for visitation in instances where parents remain married, including:
- The married parents are living separately
- One parent has disappeared
- One parent joins the petition for visitation
- The grandchild does not live with either parent
- A stepparent has adopted the grandchild
You also cannot file for court-ordered visitation when your rights to see your grandchildren have been denied by both parents. The general exception to this rule is if the grandparents can demonstrate to the court that visitation rights would be in the child’s best interests. A skilled attorney can analyze your family circumstances to help you demonstrate this before a judge.
Don’t settle for having your visitation denied; contact a lawyer at Westover Law Group for a free consultation today.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general.