Grandparents & Grandchildren

Family dynamics can be complex; therefore some grandparents are experiencing estrangement from one or more of their adult children. In turn, this can result in a grandparent being cut off from their grandchildren. “Grandparent” related custody statutes have expanded to address a number of family situations, including the death of an adult child resulting in the living parent unilaterally cutting off a grandparent. The statutes also address those scenarios where a grandparent, despite being continuously and actively involved in their grandchild’s life previously, has a disagreement with their adult child resulting in being cut off from their grandchild as punishment. The statutes clearly define standing, that is, who qualifies to file for custody and why.