As a grandparent, you play a critical role in the lives of your grandkids. This is an important relationship that is crucial for the mental and emotional well-being of children, and it is critical to preserve these ties. Unfortunately, there are family situations that can lead to complications that may result in damage to that relationship. You may find that you are unable to access your grandkids after a divorce or change in family circumstances.
It can be heartbreaking to lose access to your grandkids. Not only does this impact you, but it can also affect them as well. If you are facing a similar situation, it is in your interests to seek insight regarding the rights that grandparents may have and how they can seek access to their grandkids in certain circumstances.
Grandparent rights versus parental rights
Biological parents have rights, even after a divorce. They get the final say over their kids, including where they live, where they go to school and who they spend time with. Unless there is evidence of abuse or neglect, the courts will always give preference to the parents. However, that does not mean that a court will not consider the benefit of providing grandparents access to their grandkids to some degree. This is most common in situations in which there has been a divorce or one of the parents has died.
There may also be times during which the court may grant custody to grandparents. This is more likely in situations in which there is evidence of abuse or neglect by the parents, or they could present a risk to the kids due to drug dependency or alcohol abuse. When making any decision that could affect the kids, the courts will always prioritize their best interests.
Keep your family together
Custody and visitation are some of the most sensitive matters to address for Texas parents and grandparents. If you have concerns about being denied access to your grandkids, you may benefit from an evaluation of your case and insight regarding your legal options. It is possible that you have a valid reason to ask the court to grant you the ability to maintain a strong relationship with your grandkids.