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Law Office of Mark M. Childress Law Office of Mark M. Childress
Grandparents Rights

Texas Grandparents' Rights Lawyer

Advocating for Grandparents' Visitation and Custody in Texas

When people discuss child custody issues, the primary focus is on what is in the best interest of the child, as it should be. There is also a tendency to focus on making sure that both parents are positioned to play an active role in the child's life even if they are no longer going to be together.

But what about grandparents? Grandparents' rights are often forgotten when thinking about issues of visitation and access. This is a shame, as grandparents can play an important role in a child's development and in maintaining family structure when everything else in a child's life seems to be changing.

Grandparents today are typically more involved in their children's lives than ever before. According to Today, 22 percent of grandparents see their grandkids daily, while 42 percent see them weekly. 

One in four parents entrust the care of their children to grandparents at least once a month. These close connections offer myriad benefits for grandparents and grandchildren, but unfortunately, they also can cause complicated situations when parents divorce or undergo other serious life changes.

In these situations, many grandparents find their time with their grandchildren restricted or even cut off completely. Fortunately, Texas law recognizes grandparents' rights to custody and visitation. Grandparents may be awarded visitation time or even custody of their grandchildren if they can prove that they meet certain legal criteria.

At the Law Offices of Mark M. Childress, PLLC, we are compassionate advocates for the rights of grandparents in family law cases. Our Fort Worth grandparents' rights attorneys can answer your questions about your rights and pursue an outcome that makes sense for you and your grandchild.

Call our Fort Worth grandparents' rights lawyers today at (817) 497-8148.

Legal Rights for Grandparents in Texas: Visitation and Access

Unfortunately, grandparents do not enjoy an absolute right to visitation time with their grandchildren. State law first recognizes the right of parents to make decisions regarding their children, such as deciding how much visitation with grandparents to allow. 

Under state law, however, grandparents may request visitation rights, even if visitation is against the wishes of the child's parents, in the following situations:

  • The grandchild's parents have gotten divorced.
  • The grandchild has spent at least six months living with the grandparents.
  • The relationship between the grandchild and his or her parent has legally been terminated.
  • The grandchild's parent has died, been sent to prison or been found unfit.
  • The grandchild has suffered abuse or neglect at the hands of a parent.

A family law court may award grandparents visitation rights if the court finds that this arrangement is in the best interests of the child. The court may consider various subjective factors when making this decision. These include the child's needs and preferences, the relationship that the child and grandparents enjoy and the benefits of a continued relationship. 

Securing Custody as a Grandparent in Fort Worth

In some cases, grandparents who have played a significant role in raising their grandchildren may benefit from seeking legal custody. According to USA Today, such arrangements are becoming increasingly common. At the time of the 2010 Census, grandparents across America were bringing up 4.9 million grandkids. This figure represents almost twice the number of children that grandparents were raising just 10 years before.

Obtaining custody can offer various benefits for grandparents. Grandparents who are awarded legal custody gain the right to make important financial, medical and educational decisions on the grandchild's behalf. Seeking custody may also be advisable if the grandchild's parents are no longer fit as guardians.

To seek custody, grandparents must meet a number of criteria, unless the child's parents or court-appointed conservator agree that the grandparents should receive custody. Grandparents must show that the grandchild lived with them for at least six months, or they must be named the child's guardians. Alternately, grandparents must prove that harm is resulting from the child's current living situation.

Exploring Custody Options for Grandparents

Custody laws favor parents having custody of their children over all others in most circumstances. However, there are situations that can open the door to the possibility of grandparent custody. This will typically be an option in a case where parents are incarcerated, using drugs or abusing alcohol, or being physically or emotionally abusive to the children.

Get Help from a Fort Worth Grandparents' Rights Attorney

At our firm, we combine a high level of personal service with the litigation skills necessary to achieve results in this complex area of family law. Whether you are seeking to establish visitation rights or wish to pursue custody of your grandchildren, we are here to help. 

Ready to Discuss Your Rights? Contact a Fort Worth Grandparents' Rights Lawyer Today.

The Opinions That Matter Most

  • My questions were heard and answered without having to ask twice.

    “Value a capable team with experienced staff. For the past 9 months, the folks at the Law Offices of Mark Childress handled my case with class and empathy. My questions were heard and answered without having to ask twice. I felt like I was kept in the loop and always briefed properly. As I move forward with other ventures I wouldn't be surprised if we crossed paths again. And hats off to Konner, THANK YOU!”

  • Mark was there to answer every question, every phone call and did it in a way that I felt as if I were his only client.

    “I needed an attorney who would stand up for me and my child during a very hard time. Mark was there to answer every question, every phone call and did it in a way that I felt as if I were his only client. He was very knowledgeable not only about the law but about the opposing attorney and the judge. He prepared me well and we won our case. I would recommend Mark Childress to anyone who is fighting for custody or in need of child support.”

  • I highly recommend him and his staff. They are courteous, prompt and they care.

    “I called in inquiring about a divorce and how it all happens. I had 2 people call me back within an hour and in an hour maybe 2 I was talking with the lawyer. I highly recommend him and his staff. They are courteous, prompt and they care. Divorce is the hardest thing we will go through minus losing a kid and his team will be retained. He even called me back himself the next day to see how I was. Great service.”

  • This guy is amazing. In a matter of minutes, he accomplished what no other attorney could in 6 years.

    “This guy is amazing. In a matter of minutes, he accomplished what no other attorney could in 6 years. He had my case figured out in 1short conversation and had what he called "a convoluted mess" fixed. I'm pretty sure my ex felt like he'd been hit by a bus. My family is finally in tact and everyone is finally happy.”

Why Choose Us For Your Family Matters?
  • Direct Access To Your Attorney

    Our Attorneys personally handle each case themselves. You will have direct access to your attorney to be able to get the answers that you need. 

  • Transparency
    Honesty and transparency are critical in building trust with your attorney. You will always know what is going on with your case every step of the way.
  • Team Oriented

    At our firm you're not just a case number, our staff will always know the status of your case and help to make your situation more manageable.

  • Personalized Approach
    Our team understands that no two cases are the same. Your strategy will be tailored specifically to you and your family's goals.