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Grandparent Visitation

Fort Wayne Family Law Attorney Manages Grandparent Visitation Cases

Dedicated Indiana lawyer helps clients to preserve loving relationships

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.

Knowledgeable counselor advises on statutory visitation rights for grandparents

The Indiana Grandparent Visitation Act allows grandparents in the state to seek a visitation order under these circumstances:

  • The child’s parent is deceased — Often, a widowed parent feels that contact with the other side of the family, including grandparents, reminds the children too much of the suffering and death of the deceased parent. Unfortunately, restricting that contact may cause more grief to their children.
  • Divorce — After a divorce, a parent who is awarded sole custody of the children might unreasonably cut off contact with the grandparents on the other side of the family. This situation can also inflict added, unnecessary emotional trauma on children who have a strong bond of affection with those grandparents. Grandparent visitation rights may be limited if the divorce was granted outside the state of Indiana.
  • The child was born out of wedlock — Before grandparents can file a petition for visitation, the paternity of the child must be legally established.

The process for requesting visitation is straightforward:

  • The grandparents file a petition requesting reasonable visitation rights in the court of the county where the child resides.
  • The grandparents arrange for a copy of the petition and a summons to be served on the parents of the children for whom visitation is requested.
  • The court holds a hearing to consider evidence in favor of and against the visitation request, and issues its ruling.

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.

Family law advocate assists with modification of grandparent visitation orders

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.

Contact a board-certified family law attorney in Indiana for a grandparent visitation consultation

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.

Reviews
  • "Rex was very helpful and understanding of my situation. He was honest and upfront. For everything that he did for me, I am very thankful. I highly recommend Patterson Law LLC." - Hailee Gordon

  • "Rex is absolutely amazing at what he does! I have to say that his professionalism is above and beyond! You knocked it out of the park today my friend! I will speak highly of you and your staff to every single person I know! Thank you!" - Bryan Sanders

  • "I've been working with Rex for what it seems like forever now, he hasn't let me down one time! He works his hardest to get what needs to be done, done! I'd recommend him to anyone!!" - Megan Mitchell

  • "I would highly recommend Patterson Law to anyone! Everyone there is so professional and helpful! Rex took the time to get to know my case and handled it remarkably! Though I hope to never need their services again, I would most certainly if the need arose. Thank you to Rex and the entire staff! You are truly excellent stewards of your profession!" - Amy Gilbert-Koch

  • "Rex Patterson is a great person and lawyer! I would recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a straightforward no-nonsense approach to legal matters! I am very thankful that while sitting in a law firm in Ft. Wayne explaining my situation I was advised to go to Rex!! Best decision ever! Thanks again Rex for your calm approach to crazy!!!;)" - Abby Richards

  • "Rex is a great attorney. The clients we mutually served shared how Rex was a good attorney and fair in his pricing. Would highly recommend Rex for any of your legal needs." - Ron Nicolet Owner of Nicolet Counseling LLC

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