Grandparents’ Rights Lawyers in Denton

What Are Grandparents Rights in Texas?

The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is valuable and worth fighting for. If you wish to exercise your rights to be a part of your grandchild’s life, it’s important to consult with a skilled grandparents' rights attorney who knows and understands the complexities of this family matter.

At the Law Office of David S. Bouschor, II, P.C., our Denton grandparents' rights lawyers have been serving clients throughout the area for over 30 years. We have decades of experience and are passionate about providing a high level of service to every client. Rest assured that your needs will be prioritized, and your questions will be answered throughout the duration of your case.

To learn more about grandparents' rights in Texas, contact our firm at (940) 202-8323.

How to File for Grandparents Rights in Texas

Grandparents in Texas can file for possessory conservatorship in two ways: through an original lawsuit or grandparents' intervention.

To file for grandparents' rights in Texas, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be the grandparent of the child.
• You must have had a significant relationship with the child before the child's parents divorced or separated.
• You must show that visitation is in the best interests of the child.

If you meet these requirements, you can petition the court. The petition must include the following information:

• Your name and contact information
• The name and contact information of the child's parents
• The child's birthdate
• A description of your relationship with the child
• Why do you believe visitation is in the best interests of the child

Once you have filed the petition, the judge will schedule a hearing. At the hearing, the court will hear evidence from both sides and decide whether to grant you visitation.

The court will consider the following factors when deciding whether to grant visitation:

• The child's best interests
• The nature and quality of the relationship between the grandparent and the child
• The reasons for the breakdown of the parent's relationship
• The parent's ability to provide for the child's emotional and physical needs
• The grandparent's ability to provide for the child's emotional and physical needs

Grandparents can also seek custody by interfering in a custody action filed by the state or parents. Grandparents don't have standing to obtain original custody lawsuits against a grandchild's parents. Instead, a grandparent's request for guardianship must be filed as part of an existing custody case.

Grandparents play an essential part in the lives of grandchildren. In some cases, grandparents may need to seek visitation with their grandchildren if the parents are unable or unwilling to allow it. 

Suppose you are considering filing for grandparents' rights in Texas. In that case, speaking with our family law attorney to discuss your circumstances is crucial. Our family law attorney can help you understand the law and represent you in court.

Can Texas Grandparents Get Visitation Rights?

Every state has a variation of a grandparent visitation law. Grandparents are generally allowed to apply for visitation privileges or custody of a grandchild if they have had possession and/or significant contact with the grandchild and if it would be in the child’s best interests.

Texas courts can authorize grandparent visitation if it will be in the child’s best interest and if at least one of the following apply:

• The child’s parents are divorced.
• The child was abused or neglected by their parents.
• A parent was put in jail, is incompetent, or passed away.
• The child has lived with their grandparent for at least six months.

Protecting Grandparents’s Rights in Texas 

Our Denton grandparents’ rights attorneys understand the emotional difficulties of these cases. We can help you navigate the legal process and provide you with the compassionate support you need during this time.

If you are seeking to claim your rights as a grandparent in Texas, speak with our grandparents' rights lawyer in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Contact us at (940) 202-8323 today.