Minnesota Grandparents’ Rights Lawyer & Attorney
Grandparent Visitation and Custody Rights
In the state of Minnesota, grandparents are given some legal right to visitation through the statutes. If your child is deceased and you are being denied access to your grandchildren, you may go to court and request a set parenting time schedule, as if you were the parent of the children. Otherwise, the court allows grandparents to seek visitation rights as an interested third party or de facto custodian. Contact the family law attorneys at Germsheid, Heimerl & Lammers to discuss your situation.
De Facto Custodian
If your grandchild has resided in your home and you have acted as a primary caretaker for them, then you may be able to get custody of your grandchild. The child must live with you for an extended period of time, and the child’s parent(s) must be failing in some way to provide for the child’s needs. If you believe that you qualify for this, or have questions regarding your own situation, contact the Minnesota Divorce Attorneys at Germscheid, Heimerl & Lammers today.
Third Party Custody Rights
If you do not qualify under the more specific requirements of a de facto custodian, but you believe it is in the best interest of your grandchild to be in your care and custody or even to have set visitation time with you, then you may be able to file a petition to the court as an interested third party. This is not limited only to grandparents and allows for a child to be removed from a situation that may not be the best for them.
If you have been raising your grandchildren on your own, you should have a Custody Consent Decree, signed by the parent, giving you legal rights to enroll the children in school, take them to the doctor, and make day-to-day decisions for them. Contact the Minneapolis family law attorneys at Germscheid, Heimerl & Lammers today. We can help you draft an agreement that fits your needs and walk you through the court process to get custodial or visitation rights to your grandchildren.
Contact A Minnesota Divorce Lawyer
The divorce and family law attorneys at Germscheid, Heimerl & Lammers are experienced in the area of grandparent rights and can help you evaluate your own situation to find the best route to getting access to your grandchildren. Call or email us to set up a free initial consultation today.