Do Grandparents Have Rights?
Child Custody and Visitation Lawyers — Seattle, Washington
Yes, grandparents do have rights. However, those rights aren't absolute. You have to be able to show that you've played an active and important role in your grandchild's life and that it would be in the best interests of that child to have you remain in it as well. With all of this — we can help.
Our firm has represented the interests of grandparents in family courts throughout the Puget Sound area, including King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. If you would like to learn more about grandparents' rights and what we can do to protect yours — call 206.625.9800 for a free consultation or contact us online.
Visitation Petitions: Timing
In Washington State, grandparents who want to assert their rights to visitation can ONLY do that in connection with a pending marriage dissolution, legal separation or parenting plan modification (RCW 26.09.240). In practical terms, this means that it is very important to speak with an attorney early on and begin building the case for a continued, meaningful role in your grandchild's life.
Grandparents' Rights and Child Custody
Ordinarily, a parent's right to remain a parent is sacrosanct. At the same time, family courts have recognized many situations for what they are: dangerous and unhealthy for the children involved. And in many of those cases, grandparents concerned for the health and safety of their grandchildren have been able to obtain custody of grandchildren from unfit parents.
In addition to handling visitation and custody requests directly, our firm is also available to represent grandparent interests in proceedings initiated by Washington's DSHS or Child Protective Services.
Get in touch with our Seattle, Washington, office for a free consultation. Just call 206.625.9800 or contact us online.
