Eagle Grandparent Visitation

Grandparents are important members of any family. The relationship between grandparent and grandchild can be disrupted when custody issues arise. If one parent gets custody of the children, the grandparents on the other side of the family may have a harder time seeing their grandchildren as regularly as they did when the relationship was still intact. If you are facing this situation, you need to know your rights when it comes to Eagle grandparent visitation.

In Colorado, there are grandparents’ visitation laws in place to allow you to have family time with your grandchildren. The process involves legal forms and documentation, which can add to the stress of the situation. You can hire a grandparent visitation lawyer to advise and assist you in building a case to seek family time with your grandchildren.

Why Choose Our Firm

At Kinnett & Cordes, our team has more than 15 years of experience in family law, including handling grandparent rights and visitation matters. We strive to offer a comprehensive approach to your case, ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed and you have the evidence you need.

This gives us an edge in writing a compelling affidavit explaining why you should be part of your grandchild’s life. We want to protect your interests while working to reunite you with your grandchildren.

Grandparents Rights in Colorado

In many cases, grandparents may not realize they have certain rights or can petition the court for visitation with their grandchildren. In 2024, there were only 18 grandparent visitation cases filed in the state.

The courts do not want to interfere with familial relationships, and when it comes to grandparents seeing their grandchildren, Colorado law allows them to petition for court-ordered visits or family time. These laws also allow great-grandparents to request family time.

The specific situations in which family time may be granted to grandparents are detailed in House Bill 23-1026 and are as follows:

• Separation or divorce of the parents, resulting in child custody agreements. When one parent is awarded primary custody of the children, the grandparents on the other side may not have the opportunity to be part of their grandchildren’s lives. If this is the case, they can petition the court for family time or visitation.
• Children placed with someone other than either biological parent. There are times when children are placed with an extended family member or in foster care. In this case, the grandparents are entitled to family time, but they may also want to petition for custody of the children if that’s their wish.
• A biological parent has died. Grandparents can be faced with the death of their own child and want family time or custody of their grandchildren, who may live with the surviving parent.

There can also be circumstances where the biological parents have been neglectful or abusive to the children. Grandparents can build a case for custody or more visits when this happens. Addiction issues, mental health concerns, or incarceration are also valid reasons for grandparents to step in to care for their grandchildren.

Colorado courts determine what’s in the best interests of the child in visitation cases. If grandparent visitation is beneficial to a child’s overall well-being, it may be granted. In some cases, grandparents can be given custody of their grandchildren if it is determined that they can provide the most stable and healthy home.

Securing Grandparent Family Time in Eagle, Colorado

Securing family time with your grandchildren involves paperwork and court hearings. The first thing you should do is hire a skilled attorney from our firm who can guide you through the legal process. A lawyer can assist you with the following:

• Filing a petition and affidavit. This paperwork needs to be submitted to the 5th Judicial District Court, which is located at the Eagle Justice Center. Within the affidavit, a reason for family time must be included, along with why these visits are in the child’s best interests. The evidence must demonstrate how the time with grandparents can benefit the child.
• Preparing for a hearing. The courts may request a hearing for more information before making a decision. If the custodial parent doesn’t want the children to have family time with a grandparent, they may request a hearing to present their case to the judge.

If you are granted family time, you and the other party come up with an agreed-upon visitation schedule together. The frequency of visitation can be set for monthly or during school breaks, whatever works for everyone involved, while still considering the children’s best interests. These visits are court-ordered and can’t be changed once the decision has been made.

When grandparents are denied family time for any reason, another petition can’t be submitted for two years, which is why it’s imperative to find a knowledgeable attorney you can trust to get it right the first time.

Benefits of Grandparents Spending Time With Their Grandchildren

Grandparent visitation is not just good for grandchildren; it benefits grandparents as well. Based on a study done in 2024, cognitive function improves in grandparents when they spend time with their grandchildren, especially in women.

Time magazine reported that spending time with grandchildren can improve overall health in many areas, such as being more active, improving mood, and combating loneliness and isolation.

Grandparents caring for grandchildren is on the rise in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 32.7% of grandparents living with their minor grandchildren were responsible for their care in 2021. With more children being placed in their grandparents’ custody nationally, the issue of grandparent visitation is becoming more common.

Hire a Grandparent Visitation Lawyer

To find an Eagle grandparent visitation attorney, look no further than Kinnett & Cordes. We can prepare the paperwork, gather evidence, and prepare you for a court hearing. Since your day in court can be one of the most important in your case, we stand with you in your time of need and get you results.

There is no reason to deal with your grandparent visitation case on your own. Contact us for a consultation to discuss an effective strategy for your grandparent visitation case.