HOUSTON GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS LAWYERS

Grandparents’ and Non-Parents’ Rights

When parents divorce or split up, the grandparents and other relatives sometimes find themselves cut off from their grandchildren. Even when parents are together, they may decide not to grant access to Grandma and Grandpa.

Texas law does not recognize grandparents’ rights as such, and a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000 further undermined their legal standing to sue for visitation or custody. However, Texas courts have interpreted the ruling as allowing grandparents and other non-parents to maintain access in certain scenarios.

If you are not being allowed to see the grandchildren who have been such a big part of your life, contact the Houston family law attorneys of Bill De La Garza & Associates, P.C. We are sympathetic to your plight and will exhaust our legal recourse to fight for you to be able to spend time with your grandchildren again.

Texas Grandparent Visitation Lawyers

A typical scenario we see is a divorced parent who has been granted primary or sole custody, who then proceeds to systematically cut the other parents relatives, often the grandparents and other family members, out of the picture. Unfortunately for grandparents and other family members who are being excluded from seeing the children they love, the United States Supreme Court ruled that parents are within their rights to grant or refuse access to whomever they wish, whether family or not.

However, please know that there are myriad exceptions to this law. The lawyers at our firm intimately understand how to identify these more unique scenarios and “loopholes” so that you can see the children who have formerly been involved in your life. You may have standing to petition for visitation or custody of a grandchild if:

  • The parent previously allowed visitation and it is not in the best interest of the child to be excluded from seeing the relative or caregiver.
  • The child lived with you for a time because the parents were absent or unfit.
  • The child’s welfare is in danger because of the custodial parent’s addiction, mental illness, abuse/neglect or domestic violence in the home.

Our team of lawyers has more than 80 years of combined experience. If we can’t find an avenue to reconnect you to your beloved grandchildren, then likely no one can. We work to convince the court that you have standing under the established thresholds:

  • In a suit for visitation, we can argue that the child (grandchild) would be harmed by discontinuing an existing relationship with Grandma and Grandpa.
  • In a suit for custody, we would present evidence that the parent(s) are not fit for the reasons listed above.
We have also represented parents who have a legitimate reason to resist grandparent visitation, such as past sexual abuse or past interference with custody rights. Our thorough knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the law make us fierce advocates for parties on either side of such a case.

Houston Grandparents’ Rights Attorneys

Our legal team will always and only serve the best interests of the boys and girls at the center of these conflicts, whether that means a healthy relationship with their grandparents or eliminating a threat to the child’s welfare.

Call us at (281) 486-7007 or email us to discuss your situation.