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Grandparents Visitation Rights Attorney
Serving All of Porter, Lake & LaPorte County, Indiana
Grandparent Visitation
A parent has the right to raise their child as they see fit. Only in extreme cases does the court intervene, a CHINS case is one example. Grandparent visitation can be a sensitive issue for some parents to handle.
It is important to understand what rights a grandparent has regarding visitation. In Indiana, if the child’s parents married, a grandparent does not have specific visitation rights to the child of the union. The parent has the right to choose who visits their child.
However, there are instances which allow a grandparent to petition to court for visitation rights. In the state of Indiana, a grandparent can ask the court for visitation rights with their grandparents if:
- The grandchild’s parent is dead;
- The grandchild’s parents are divorced; or
- he child was born outside of marriage (paternity must be established first).
The court will make its decision based on what it determines is in the best interest of the child and is not obligated to rule in favor of the grandparent. It is the responsibility of the grandparent to show that maintaining a relationship with the child will contribute to the overall well-being to the child.
Whether you are the grandparent or the parent in a visitation dispute, it is important to first consider how this dispute will impact the family relationships and the child’s wellbeing. Understanding a person’s motivations for wanting to be a part of the child’s life can go a long way in reaching an agreement for visitation. If it is not possible to come to an agreement, you should speak with Cioe & Wagenblast, PC, who can advise you of your legal rights and options.
202 Monroe Street, Valparaiso IN 46383