Topsham Grandparents Rights Lawyer

Grandparents’ Rights Attorney in Topsham, ME

Being a grandparent provides joy and enrichment to anyone’s life. Sadly, things can happen within a family, like divorce and drug addiction, that disrupt your relationship and affect your contact with members of your family. When you’re unable to see your grandchildren or worry about their well-being, it can weigh heavily on you. You need a Topsham grandparents’ rights lawyer to guide you through and give you legal advice every step of the way.

The Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, practices several areas of law, including family law, and can help with your grandparents’ rights case. With over 20 years of experience, we offer effective representation to residents of Topsham and other areas of Maine. We work with you to build a case to address your unique circumstances. Gaining your rights as a grandparent can be overwhelming and challenging. Don’t do it alone.

Grandparents Rights in Maine

Maine values the rights of grandparents as vital members of a child’s life. The relationship can fracture due to the grandchild’s parents. You can petition the court for contact, visitation, or custody of your grandchildren.

When it comes to seeking custody, Maine focuses on the best interest of the child, whatever that may be. You must provide solid evidence in your petition about the environment the children are living in and how it may be harming them. This evidence is essential to gain custody.

Some reasons you can pursue custody of your grandchildren are:

• The death of a parent
• Proof of child abuse
• The child had been placed in foster care
• The parent is unable to provide a safe home for the child
• The parent is incapacitated due to a medical diagnosis or event
• The parent has mental health issues that impact their ability to care for their child
• A history of substance abuse or the parent living in an inpatient treatment facility
• The parent has been arrested and is in jail or prison

Grandparents Caring for Their Grandchildren in Maine

It’s become common for grandparents to step in and take care of their grandchildren for various reasons. According to the Department of Labor, 2.3 million children were being raised by a grandmother in 2021. That accounted for 3.2% of all children. In Maine that same year, 7,049 children were raised by at least one grandparent.

The team at the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, can be your Topsham grandparents’ rights attorney and help you pursue custody if you’re concerned about your grandchildren and their living arrangements.

Grandparent Rights Laws in Maine

The Maine Statutes, Title 19, Domestic Relations, Chapter 59, Visitation Rights of Grandparents and Great-Grandparents provides information regarding what the court considers when hearing a grandparents’ rights case at Topsham, ME. These include:

• Age of the child or children
• The relationship and past contact with the grandparents
• The status of the parents
• Input from older children who can voice their preferences
• How well the child can adjust to a new environment
• If the grandparents have a criminal record

Hire a Grandparents’ Rights Lawyer

There is a process to petition the court to review grandparent rights for contact, visitation, or custody. Before starting this process, you should hire a grandparents’ rights lawyer who knows each step and can support you along the way, including helping with:

• Filing the necessary paperwork
• Serving the documents to the parents, if they are still involved, or the current legal guardian. This could be a foster parent or another member of the child’s family.
• Mediating to avoid courtroom litigation
• Representing you in court

These are just a few ways an attorney can help. No matter what your circumstances, the right representation can give you the confidence you need to successfully navigate the legal road ahead.

FAQs

What Should I Do Before I Go to Court for My Grandparents’ Rights Case?

The first thing you should do is talk to the parents to resolve the problem. You can ask to see the child in a calm and positive way. If they ignore you or respond negatively, keep records of these interactions. It can be used later in court to show that you attempted to get their cooperation before involving the courts.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Lawyer for Grandparents’ Rights?

The cost for a capable Topsham grandparents rights attorney is different in every case. Some family situations can be resolved quickly in mediation, but others can take much longer in court. The cost also depends on how complex the case may be. If investigators need to be hired to gather more evidence, that can increase the fees.

Can I Appeal the Court’s Decision in My Grandparents’ Rights Case?

You can appeal against the court’s decision in your grandparents’ rights case. You have 21 days from the decision to file. Your appeal can’t be because you didn’t like the outcome. You must show misconduct by the judge or in the proceedings. You also need to focus on the evidence of what is in the best interest of the child. Your grandparents’ rights lawyer can help you with your appeal.

Can I See My Grandchildren If They Live in Another State?

If your grandchildren live outside of Maine, it can be more difficult to petition for contact, visitation, or custody. Other states in the U.S. have grandparents’ rights, but not all of them. It can also depend on whether your grandchildren live in New England or on the West Coast. Consult a family law attorney to help you navigate the possibilities.

Topsham Grandparents Rights Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Thaddeus V. Day, PLLC, we advocate for you and develop an approach to get the most favorable outcome. After decades of working cases in Maine, we have the knowledge to get the rights you deserve. Our former clients comment on how upfront and honest Mr. Day is. Whether you need a capable attorney for mediation or hours in court, our team is ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.