Winter Park Grandparents’ Rights Attorney
Florida Family Lawyer Helping Grandparents with Custody Rights
Florida family courts are focused on the child’s best interests when it comes to custody and visitation, so judges may have reason to look beyond the biological parents in making decisions. The trend towards looking at the big picture is an advantage to grandparents who seek to have a stronger relationship with their grandchildren. There are also benefits in situations where grandparents can assume temporary custody to remove children from an unsafe living environment at the parental home.
Our lawyers at The Troum Law Firm, P.A. know that you may face legal challenges as a grandparent, even when you only want what’s best for your grandchild. For more than 30 years, we’ve been representing clients throughout Orange and Seminole Counties in a wide range of family law matters, including issues related to grandparents’ rights. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation with a Winter Park grandparents’ rights attorney today. You may also find it helpful to review some answers to common questions about these cases.
Can I get custody of my grandchildren? By default, parents are granted authority over all aspects of raising their children as long as the marriage is intact. They can decide who can spend time with their children, because decisions on custody and visitation are within their parental right. However, there are situations where it’s necessary to displace this default rule and work out a different arrangement.
Under Florida’s statute on temporary custody by extended family members, it’s possible for grandparents and other relatives to take custody of a child where:
- There are conditions present at the child’s primary residence that put him or her in danger;
- The biological parents are unable to provide proper child care; or,
- The child endures abuse, including verbal, physical, or emotional harm.
What are my visitation rights as a grandparent? If the parents are divorced, your best opportunity to spend time with your grandchild is to work out an appropriate arrangement with your son or daughter. In some cases, that may mean taking action to ensure that your child – as the parent – is properly exercising visitation or time-sharing rights.
How can I exercise my grandparent’s rights in Florida? Issues regarding grandparent’s rights must come before the court by petition, in which you state your side of the matter and ask that the judge grant the relief you request. By presenting evidence on the three factors above, it’s possible for family members to gain temporary custody. Judges are often open to granting such a request in the presence of alcohol abuse, drug use, criminal activity, or mental illness in the child’s current residential environment.
Set Up an Appointment with a Winter Park Grandparent’s Rights Attorney
To learn more about your rights as a grandparent or extended family member, please contact The Troum Law Firm, P.A. to schedule a case evaluation. You can reach our firm at 321-428-2247 or visit our website. We’re happy to review your circumstances and determine an appropriate strategy regarding your grandparent’s rights.
