Many people are very excited to finally have grandchildren of their own. If you have grandchildren but if you are not able to see them, such as if the parents are preventing you from doing so, then you could be wondering if there is anything that you can do. There are actually laws on the books that are designed to help grandparents, but there are certain tips you'll want to keep in mind when fighting to see your grandchildren.
1. Hire a Lawyer
Even if you have a pretty concrete case, you shouldn't go to family court on your own. Some courts tend to favor the parents rather than the grandparents, for one thing. For another, family law can be complicated, and it can be difficult to maneuver the family court system on your own. Lastly, since these cases can be very emotional for many people, having a trusted lawyer by their side to help them can be very helpful. Family lawyers who specialize in things like child custody and divorce are generally able to help grandparents with these types of cases.
2. Be Flexible if Possible
If you want to help increase the chances of being able to see your grandchildren, you may want to be somewhat flexible. Even if you aren't able to see the grandchildren on the schedule that you have in mind, being open-minded and willing to negotiate about when and how you will see them can go a long way in court and can make the difference between seeing your grandchildren regularly and potentially not being able to see them at all.
3. Don't Try to Turn the Grandchildren Against Their Parents
If your grandchildren's parents have been trying to keep them from you, it's understandable if you have some hard feelings toward them and the situation. This can make it tempting for you to say something to your grandchildren about it, but it's best to avoid doing so. You don't want to put your grandchildren in the difficult position of picking their parents or their grandparents. Instead, try to keep any negative thoughts or words about their parents to yourself, and handle the matter through the courts rather than putting the children in the middle.
As a grandparent, it's probably very important to you to be able to see your grandchildren. By following these tips and working with the right family attorney, you can work toward getting visitation with the grandchildren that you love so much.
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