Portland Grandparents Rights Lawyer

Grandparents Rights Attorney in Portland, ME

When a relationship between parents ends, either through divorce, separation, or another means, it is ideal that the children shared between the couple maintain contact with all of the important people in their lives, including their grandparents. If you are a grandparent living in Deering or have grandchildren in Saco Cove and are concerned about seeing them, now is the time to hire an experienced Portland grandparents’ rights lawyer.

Common Types of Grandparents’ Rights Cases We Handle

In the United States, more than 540,000 children are known to be abused or living in neglectful situations. Whether a grandchild is facing this predicament or a relationship has broken down in the family, it is common for grandparents to become concerned regarding their rights to support and spend time with their grandchildren.

In Maine, as a grandparent, you have rights, and at the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, we are here to do whatever we can to protect those rights. As a grandparent, you maintain the right to petition the courts for visitation, contact, or even custody of a child under certain circumstances, including:

• When one or both parents are deemed unfit, unable to provide, or unavailable to provide necessary care to the child
• A parent is incarcerated, deceased, or otherwise unable to provide a safe home environment
• The child’s well-being is in harm’s way due to a parent
• There is a disruption in the relationship shared between a parent and child

At the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, we have handled countless grandparents’ rights cases over the years and are now ready to turn our time and attention to your situation. We have experience handling the following common types of grandparents’ rights cases in Portland:

• Grandparent custody or guardianship. In the United States, nearly 1 in 4 children live with at least one parent or primary caregiver who suffers from a substance abuse or addiction disorder. In situations of addiction, abuse, neglect, or instability, a grandparent may hope to step in to protect the child. If you are hoping to gain custody of a grandchild, our team is here to help.
• Grandparent visitation. When a parent chooses to cut contact off or limit access between a child and a grandparent, as the grandparent, you have the right to seek a visitation ordered by the courts. At our firm, we are here to help you gather the necessary evidence to prove your role in the child’s life and seek visitation rights.
• Grandparent standing, or de facto parenting issues. If you have already been raising or caring for a grandchild, you may have the legal right to be recognized as the de facto parent, which can allow you to seek custody, make decisions for your grandchild, or otherwise maintain a stable and secure relationship.
• Protective or emergency cases. If you believe a grandchild is in danger, the team at the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, is here to help you more swiftly in filing emergency motions or a protective order to keep the grandchild safe.

FAQs

Q: Do the Courts Favor Grandparents in Maine?

A: In Maine, the courts will favor whatever situation they believe is in the best interests of the child. More than 7 million children in the United States live with their grandparents. When courts consider factors they believe are in the child’s best interests, grandparents can absolutely fit into this equation, especially if they can prove they can provide a safe, stable home environment for the child.

Q: What Can I Do if I Believe My Grandchildren Live in an Unsafe Situation?

A: If you believe that your grandchild is living in an unsafe situation, you can take certain actions. In certain cases, you may be able to file for emergency guardianship of the child or request that the child be placed into protective custody. You may also decide to seek a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) intervention. At the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, we can help you determine the right legal route.

Q: How Can I Get Custody of My Grandchildren?

A: There are several different ways you may be able to seek custody of your grandchildren in Maine. First, if one or both of the parents have passed away, you may be able to seek a custody or guardianship case over a visitation rights situation. However, in these cases, you will need to prove that having the child placed into your care is in the best interests of that child.

Q: What Deems a Parent Unfit in Maine?

A: In Maine, there are several factors that could deem a parent unfit for custody. These factors can include any history of domestic abuse or violence on the part of either parent, any history of substance abuse or addiction, or any history of mental illness that affects their ability to parent, especially if there is a risk of harm to the child or chronic instability exists.

Trust the Family-Oriented Team at the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC

Since 2002, the team at the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, has been serving families in Portland and the surrounding area. He is proud to bring a certain level of excellence to your case.

Hire a Grandparents’ Rights Lawyer Today

Whether your family is facing divorce or you are worried about losing your grandparent rights due to potential adoption or a grandchild’s placement into a foster home, the team at the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, is here to serve you. Now is the time to hire a grandparents’ rights lawyer you can trust. Whatever your case involves, we are here to protect your rights to cultivate a relationship with your grandchildren. Call us today to schedule a consultation.