What to Know About Grandparents’ Rights in New York

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Many people do not realize that a divorce can cause strained relationships amongst all members of the family, including grandparents. In some custody situations, grandparents will need to request a visitation order through the court in order to see their grandchildren. Read on to learn more about visitation orders in New York.

What rights do grandparents have?

Unfortunately, grandparents do not have many rights in the state of New York. This means that you do not have automatic visitation rights. Parents, grandparents, and siblings can request visitation rights. It is important to note that stepparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins cannot request an order for visitation. When making a decision about visitation, the court is focused on the child’s best interests. As a result, there are a number of factors that may be considered. Some of these factors include:

  • The relationship between the guardian or parent and the applicant
  • The time that has passed since the last contact with the child
  • The bond between the child and applicant
  • Whether these visitation rights will have a positive or negative effect on the child
  • The good faith of the applicant, meaning there are no ulterior motives behind his or her applying for visitation rights
  • If the parents are divorced or separated, the time-sharing arrangement which exists between the parents regarding the child
  • Any history or indication that the applicant may pose a danger to the child
  • Any other factor relevant to the court

Obtaining visitation rights can be a difficult process. As a result, it is important to work with an experienced family law attorney.

How can a grandparent obtain custody?

It is not often that a grandparent is awarded custody, but it does happen under certain circumstances. If both of the child’s parents are deemed unfit, a grandparent may be able to request custody. A parent may be deemed unfit for the following reasons:

  • Abuse
  • Substance abuse
  • Neglect
  • Refusal to co-parent
  • Failure to follow court orders

If you have any questions or concerns about visitation or custody in New York, our firm is here to help. Reach out to speak with an experienced and dedicated attorney.

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I hired Susan to represent me in a divorce matter where I was fighting for custody and to limit my wife's equitable share of our assets. I won custody of our son, kept the marital residence, kept my professional practice, kept my building and paid less than half to my wife. This was after a long-term marriage. She could persuade the court that equitable is not equal and sometimes the man does deserve to win!

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I first must say that I had been represented by two prior attorneys both of whom had simply taken my money and left me nothing to show for it in my custody case. They kept telling me what they were doing for me but I found out they were lying. Susan on the other hand had gotten me temporary custody and support for my children and myself within two months of hiring her. I cannot say enough about her.

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After talking to a few other attorneys, I hired Susan to represent me in my divorce and custody dispute. I was reluctant to go with her because she was the cheapest out of all the other attorneys I met with, but I'm so glad I did. I am 100% positive no one else would have done such a great job with my case as Susan and her staff. Her work is quality, her staff is reliable and her character is honorable. There...

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I had a very difficult case where I had already burned through two attorneys who were unable to get me custody of my children and complete my divorce. Susan was able to rapidly work out an agreement and not let it just malinger on like my previous experiences. She was also considerate of my financial situation unlike all of the other lawyers I had spoken to. I highly recommend her if you want complete and caring service with an in-depth knowledge of...

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The Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. proudly serves clients throughout Suffolk County, New York in their divorce, family law, and estate planning matters. If you require the services of an experienced Suffolk County attorney, schedule a consultation with The Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. today.

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