Arapahoe Grandparent Visitation

While grandparent visitation isn’t guaranteed by law in Colorado, family courts uphold the right for grandparents to seek a healthy, loving relationship with their grandchildren through grandparent family time. Arapahoe grandparent visitation is included in family law cases heard at the Arapahoe County Justice Center in Littleton. If you’re ready to establish grandparent family time in Colorado, an Arapahoe grandparent visitation lawyer can help.

At Kinnett & Cordes, we dedicate our practice to all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, adoption, and grandparent visitation. Our conscientious, compassionate approach to the law provides trustworthy legal knowledge you can rely on. We have an extensive record of successful outcomes in grandparent rights cases, proudly serving the Littleton, Aurora, and surrounding areas.

Reasons To Seek Grandparent Rights

There are a number of circumstances that might result in a grandparent needing to take legal action to secure their right to visitation, called grandparent family time in Colorado. Some of the circumstances that can make a grandparent rights case necessary include:

• The divorce or separation of the child’s biological parents
• The death of one of the child’s biological parents
• Incarceration of a parent
• Removal of the child from the family home due to abuse or parental negligence

In any of these circumstances, the child’s grandparents or great-grandparents may petition the family court for grandparent visitation. Hiring a grandparent rights attorney can help expedite the process by providing proper documentation, understanding local court procedures, and knowledge of grandparents’ rights laws.

How To Request Grandparent Family Time in Colorado

When a grandparent wishes to petition the court for visitation, they must file the petition at the district court where the child resides. This generally includes an affidavit in support of the petition that outlines the desired visitation schedule and the reason for the request.

After the petition is filed, the custodial parent is served with the request. If the parent agrees with the petition and affidavit, visitation can be established so long as it aligns with the child’s interests. If the custodial parent opposes the petition, either party can request a hearing. If the court grants the request for a hearing, both parties can present their arguments to the family court.

If a petition for grandparent family time progresses to the hearing phase, it’s crucial to hire a grandparent visitation lawyer who can advocate for you with the courts and facilitate mediation and negotiation with the custodial parent. Litigation may become necessary to secure grandparent family time rights, and having a qualified attorney on your side can increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

How Grandparents and Grandchildren Benefit From Visitation

It’s a simple fact that children benefit most in families where they are surrounded by loving, supportive adults. Family reunions, holidays, and vacations all help solidify the generational bonds between children and the adults who love them. When family bonds are severed due to divorce, death, or incarceration, children suffer.

While divorce or parental separation is one of the most common factors that lead to grandparents seeking visitation, parental death is also a tragic circumstance affecting millions of children. When a parent dies, a child suffers bereavement and emotional trauma that can be mitigated by the presence of loving grandparents.

Parental incarceration is also a factor that divides families. Over half of incarcerated people are the parents of minor children. When one parent is in jail, children can suffer from cognitive and behavioral deficits.

Support and guidance from caring, connected grandparents can have a significant impact on a child’s well-being. Children gain valuable insights and life lessons from their elders, reinforcing positive behavior and emotional intelligence. For this reason, Colorado courts usually encourage children to maintain relationships with their extended family whenever it is safe and in their interests.

FAQs

Q: Can a Parent Deny Visitation to a Grandparent?

A: Parents are their children’s primary caregivers, and as such, have the right to make decisions about their children’s exposure to extended family members. The courts can allow grandparents to petition for visitation rights, and family court judges can consider the benefits of allowing grandparents to spend time with their grandchildren when it is fair and in the child’s interests. Consult with an experienced Arapahoe grandparent visitation attorney to discuss your specific situation.

Q: Can Grandparents Petition for Custody?

A: In some cases, grandparents can petition the courts for custody of their grandchildren when the parents are deemed unfit due to abuse, neglect, child endangerment, drug or alcohol use disorders, or severe mental health issues. If you believe you have a justified reason for seeking custody of your grandchildren, a qualified family law attorney can offer guidance.

Q: What Factors Influence the Court’s Decision for Grandparent Visitation?

A: Several factors can influence the family court’s decision concerning grandparent rights. The child’s existing relationship with their grandparents is a major factor, as well as the overall physical and emotional well-being of the child. The child’s interests are always the first consideration of the Colorado court system. A grandparents’ rights attorney can evaluate your case for the possibility of success.

Q: What Is the Biggest Mistake You Can Make in a Grandparent Visitation Case?

A: One of the biggest mistakes either party in a visitation case can make is to display disrespect or emotional reactivity during hearings or any other court proceeding. While cases involving child custody carry understandable emotional stakes, remaining respectful and polite to employees of the court and the custodial parent is necessary to convey that grandparent visitation would be safe and of benefit to the child.

Ready To Take the Next Step? Hire a Grandparent Visitation Lawyer Who Cares

At Kinnett & Cordes, we know how important it is for children to enjoy a healthy, loving relationship with their grandparents. We have years of experience advocating for families in Arapahoe County and the surrounding area, lending our compassionate knowledge and legal acumen to grandparents who wish to strengthen their bond through family time with their grandchildren.

It’s your legal right to seek grandparent visitation. When you’re ready to take the next step, contact us to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you create lasting family memories with your grandchildren, protecting your relationship for all the years and precious milestones to come.