What custodial rights do grandparents have regarding their grandchildren in Missouri? The answers can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the grandparents, parents and children involved. There are many different situations where a grandparent may need to be involved in Family, Juvenile or Probate court cases where the custody of their grandchildren are at issue.
Typically, when a family is intact and the parents have made a choice that a relationship with their children’s grandparents is not in their children’s best interest, the Court does not intervene in that parenting decision. There are times, however, when the grandparents may be concerned about their grandchildren, even though the parents are together, and should consult with an experienced family law attorney to discuss their options in this situation.
In other families, one or both parents may be absent or unable to parent for long periods of time, leaving their children in the care of their grandparents. Grandparents don’t know what they can or cannot do regarding the care of the grandchild when they are left in the care of their grandparents, but the grandparent doesn’t have formal custody of the grandchild. There are a variety of options for grandparents in this situation and it’s important that they explore each of them to decide which would be best for their family. A family law attorney with experience in assisting grandparents can help guide them in this process.
If a child is in the custody of the State of Missouri, a grandparent has specific rights that they can seek regarding their grandchild. It is important to seek the services of an experienced juvenile law attorney who can assist them in establishing these rights.
Grandparents can feel overwhelmed when it comes to trying to establish custody of their grandchildren, but speaking with an attorney experienced in assisting grandparents in this situation can bring clarity and help develop a plan that works for their family.
For any family law matters or questions, please reach out to one of the family law attorneys at Sandberg Phoenix.
