There is a special bond that exists between grandparents and their grandchildren. In most instances, parents recognize that the wisdom and affection of grandparents is beneficial to a child’s healthy development. They also lean on the grandparents for guidance and assistance. However, in many cases, the circumstances in the parents’ lives create a rift, and grandparents find themselves separated from the children and grandchildren they love. Fortunately, the law allows grandparents under certain conditions to request court-ordered visitation. At Patterson Law LLC in Fort Wayne, we help grandparents who want to maintain a loving relationship with their grandchildren seek visitation. We also represent parents in cases where an order would be contrary to the best interests of the child.
The Indiana Grandparent Visitation Act allows grandparents in the state to seek a visitation order under these circumstances:
The process for requesting visitation is straightforward:
A court determines visitation based solely on whether such visitation would be in the best interests of the child. A key factor to consider is the quality of the relationship that existed between the grandparents and the child prior to that relationship being interrupted. What constitutes reasonable visitation is a question that depends on the unique circumstances of each case. For these reasons, our family law attorney is determined to provide close, personalized service in order to fully understand all the parties involved. Many times, it is possible to negotiate a solution and present a plan of visitation to the court for approval so the hearing is a mere formality, rather than an adversarial proceeding.
Once an order for visitation has been issued, it has the force of law behind it. The visitation order even stays in place after an adoption, if the adoptive parent is a stepparent or someone biologically related to the child, such as a grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. However, the court can modify a grandparent visitation order, granting more time, less time, or terminating visitation, at any time if such a change would be in the best interest of the child.
Patterson Law LLC in Fort Wayne represents parents and grandparents in proceedings to determine grandparent visitation rights. To schedule a consultation, please call 260-247-8383 or contact us online.