Grandparent's Rights
ARE YOU ENTITLED TO GRANDPARENTING TIME UNDER MICHIGAN LAW?
When the parents of a child split up or when one parent dies, grandparents often get cut off from their grandchildren. This is heartbreaking for grandparents, especially those who have formed a special bond and played a prominent role in their grandchildren’s lives.
Michigan law does not recognize an automatic right to visitation with your grandkids. But the courts will grant grandparenting time under certain criteria when it serves the child’s best interests.
PETITIONING FOR GRANDPARENT VISITATION
The law and the courts give great weight to the autonomy of the child’s parents. If two fit parents oppose the order in a signed affidavit, the court must dismiss the grandparents’ petition.
More commonly, one parent opposes grandparent visitation after a spouse’s death or in the context of a divorce or paternity case. The law presumes that a fit parent can choose to deny grandparent access without substantial harm to the child. Our lawyers can help you overcome this presumption to show that the child’s mental, physical or emotional health is jeopardized by terminating the grandparent relationship and being isolated from the extended family.
Grandparents can seek a court order for grandparenting time under any of the following scenarios:
The child’s parent is deceased.
The parents are divorced or separated.
There is a pending divorce or separation action before the court.
The child’s parents never married, but paternity has been established.
Someone other than the child’s parents has been awarded custody.
The grandparents provided a custodial environment for the child in the past year.
The Law Offices of Harris & Literski can determine where you stand and assert your grandparents’ rights if you have been denied access. We understand how important it is to you (and to your grandchildren) to continue the relationship. Our experienced family law attorneys will strongly assert your interests in this sensitive situation.
EXPERT PHYSICAL CUSTODY ATTORNEYS
Located in Brighton, Michigan, our lawyers provide legal advice and representation to our clients.
Contact us to arrange a free consultation with an experienced child custody attorney today. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.