Grandparents’ Rights Attorney
in Winston-Salem, NC
Protecting an important relationship with your grandchild can require legal action.
In North Carolina, grandparents may have rights to seek visitation or, in more limited circumstances, custody of their grandchildren. The law generally assumes that a child’s biological parents are the appropriate people to raise them. However, when parents are unable to provide proper care, grandparents or other relatives may sometimes need to step in. We help grandparents understand the legal options available and what may be required to protect an important relationship with their grandchild.
Prefer to talk? Call (336) 962-7221
GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Visitation and custody involve different legal standards.
Grandparents may be able to seek visitation or custody, but the requirements are not the same.
The court’s main focus is what is best for the child. A grandparent’s existing relationship with the child can be important, including how much time they spend together, whether they help meet the child’s needs, and whether they have developed a strong, parent-like bond.
Seeking full custody is generally more difficult than seeking visitation and may require showing serious concerns about a parent’s ability to care for the child.
WHAT COURTS MAY CONSIDER
The relationship with the child can be an important part of the case.
THE EXISTING BOND
The amount of time spent together and the strength of the grandparent-grandchild relationship may be important.
CARE & INVOLVEMENT
Helping meet the child’s needs, supporting school, and participating in activities can show a meaningful role in the child’s life.
SAFETY & STABILITY
The court considers whether the proposed home environment is safe, stable, and appropriate for the child.
PARENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES
In custody cases, concerns about a parent’s ability to provide proper care may become especially important.
When grandparents seek visitation or custody, the court may look closely at the existing relationship with the grandchild and the circumstances affecting the child’s care, stability, and safety.
GUIDANCE FOR WHAT COMES NEXT
Grandparent custody cases can involve a high legal threshold.
Seeking custody as a grandparent can be difficult and often arises in connection with an existing custody case between the parents.
The page identifies circumstances that may become relevant when a parent is unable to provide appropriate care, including serious drug abuse, mental health issues, financial inability to care for the child, abandonment, or a dangerous living situation.
For visitation, the process is different. Grandparents may seek to intervene in an existing case, and the court can consider the child’s best interests, the history of the grandparent-grandchild relationship, and the circumstances of the parents.
OUR APPROACH
Thoughtful strategy. Clear direction.
We listen before we advise
Understanding your circumstances and priorities gives us the context we need to provide meaningful advice, not generic answers.
We think beyond today.
The quickest resolution is not always the right resolution. We consider how the decisions made now may affect your family, your finances, and your future.
We prepare with purpose.
Whether your case involves negotiation, litigation, or both, thoughtful preparation provides the foundation for strong representation.
We communicate clearly.
You should understand where you stand, the options available to you, and what to expect as your case progresses. We make sure you do.
GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS GUIDANCE
Protecting your relationship with your grandchild starts with understanding your options.
Tell us what’s happening. We’ll help you understand the legal options that may be available and what steps may be appropriate for your family’s circumstances.
Prefer to talk? Call (336) 962-7221