Grandparent Custody

As a grandparent of two grandchildren, Attorney Mehaffie understands the special bond that grandparents have with their grandchildren. She believes this bond should be cherished and protected whenever possible. Grandparents have an important role in their children’s lives. Many grandparents provide daily care for their grandchildren and fill the shoes of parents. Unfortunately, often times the grandchildren’s relationships with their grandparents can suffer when parents are separating or going through a divorce. Pennsylvania law recognizes the importance that grandparents and great-grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives.

In Pennsylvania grandparents do have the right to request court ordered visitation and custody of their grandchildren. We represent grandparents and great-grandparents who are seeking visitation and custody of their grandchildren. If a parent is incarcerated, battling substance abuse, neglecting a child or not able to provide proper care for a child, we can help you develop your case to advance the most persuasive arguments to achieve the results you desire.

In cases where there is no present danger to the child and if the circumstances are appropriate, we help grandparents negotiate visitation and custody agreement using mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods to advance our client’s goals.

Grandparents must initially demonstrate that they have legal standing to pursue a claim for custody of their grandchildren. We help you prepare the proper documents to demonstrate this initial threshold requirement.