Grandparents’ Rights In Massachusetts
Seek Legal Assistance From Our Framingham Family Law Attorneys
One of the greatest joys a person can experience is becoming a grandparent. Having an opportunity to protect, educate, and love your grandchildren can have a huge impact on their lives. However, when the grandchildren’s parents are experiencing marital issues or will not allow the grandparents to see their children, the cherished and valuable relationship between grandparent and grandchild is in jeopardy.
If you are a grandparent who is being denied the right to see your grandchildren in Massachusetts, our Framingham family law attorneys are committed to helping you obtain the outcome you desire. With more than 20 years of practice, we possess a comprehensive understanding of state laws and court proceedings to navigate through potential complexities in your case with you.
Understanding Grandparents’ Visitation Rights
In Massachusetts, grandparents have the legal right to file for visitation of grandchildren. However, the relationship between the grandchild’s parents and grandchild must adhere to certain stipulations in order for the grandparent to qualify for visitation rights. Grandparents and parents can agree about visitation without court litigation.
If that’s not the case, grandparents have the right to ask a court for visitation if one of the following is applicable:
- Parents were married and got divorced
- Parents are still married, but live apart and court order about separation is in place
- Either or both parents are deceased
- Parents never married, live in separate locations, and the farther signed a “Voluntary Acknowledgement of parentage” or a court determined he is the father
- Parents never married, live in separate locations, but the father has not signed a “Voluntary Acknowledgement of parentage” or there is no court judgment stating he is the father, the maternal (mother of child’s parents) grandparents can ask for visitation
- Grandchild’s best interest
- An important relationship between grandparent and grandchild was established prior to the grandparent visitation case
- It would be very detrimental to the grandchild’s health, safety, and welfare if their grandparent cannot see them.
Let Us Start Your Case Today
At Barach Law Group LLC, we are dedicated to helping you and your family successfully transition into the next chapter of life. Our Framingham family law attorney can provide you with personalized legal solutions in order to reunite with your grandchild.
Contact us for a case consultation today.