Grandparents' Rights Attorney in Commack, New York

New York's Domestic Relations Law gives grandparents, (this includes uncles, aunts and other adults) the right to seek visitation with a minor grandchild, independently of their son or daughter, although they must overcome a strong public policy that allows parents to raise their children as they deem appropriate. There is a presumption that a fit parent will act in the best interests of his / her child.

If you are a grandparent seeking visitation with your grandchild, you need strong and experienced legal representation to make your case in court. The burden is upon the grandparents to first prove that they have "standing”. Standing is demonstrating to the court that you have the right, under the law to bring the action. Once standing is established the grandparent must show a "sufficient existing relationships has been present" between the grandparents and the grandchild. Once these two elements have been demonstrated the court will consider what is in the "best interests of the child". As an experienced New York grandparents’ rights attorney I can make a difference in your case.

Grandparents and Guardianship

It is increasingly common for grandparents to find themselves in situations where they are called to act as a parent for a grandchild. This may be due to a parents’ inability to care for the child due to illness, addiction, death, or when parents’ rights have been terminated. In some cases, an underage teen parent may choose to have a grandparent or another relative act as a primary parent temporarily. In these situations, it is imperative that grandparents have legally enforceable authority to make decisions on behalf of the child. This is necessary to enroll the child in school or to give consent for medical treatment. This requires that a grandparent be given legal guardianship by the court