• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • 215-886-1266

Law Office of Joanne Kleiner

  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • We Can Help
  • Family Law & Divorce
    • Collaborative Law
    • Contested Divorce
    • Equitable Distribution of Property
    • High Asset / Net Worth Divorce
    • Mediation
    • Property Settlement Agreements
    • Spousal Support
  • Client Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search

Oct 07, 2016 Leave a Comment

Grandparents’ Rights in Pennsylvania

When a marriage ends and there are minor children in the home, the changes brought about can have a devastating impact on more than parents and their kids. Other relatives who had developed bonds with the children, including grandparents, can experience a tremendous sense of loss.

The Rights of Grandparents in Divorce Proceedings in Pennsylvania

It’s always permissible for the parents of any children of divorce to agree to allow visitation with grandparents. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen very often. Even in the absence of parental consent, grandparents may petition the court for visitation rights, under the following conditions:

  • At least one of the parents is deceased
  • Where the parents’ marriage is legally dissolved or the parents have not cohabitated in at least six months, or
  • The child has lived with grandparents for a least a year

As with all matters related to custody and visitation in Pennsylvania, any determination related to grandparent visitation must be evaluated in terms of whether it will be in the best interests of the child. The court must also consider the nature of the grandparent-grandchild relationship before the request for visitation, and must also conclude that granting visitation will not unreasonably interfere with the parent-child relationship.

Grandparents who seek physical custody of a minor grandchild will be required to show that such a grant is not only in the best interests of the child, but will encourage and permit frequent and continuing contact with the parent. If the child is subsequently adopted, all visitation rights end, unless the adopter is a grandparent.

Contact the Law Office of Joanne E. Kleiner & Associates

For an appointment, contact our office online or call us at 215-886-1266. Let us use our experience, skill, knowledge and resources to help you make informed and effective decisions.

Categories: child custody

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel

Footer

How can we help?

Please complete the form below and we will contact you.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

From Our Blog

  • The principle of equitable distribution in a Pennsylvania divorce
  • Divorce and Social Security retirement benefits
  • The effect of a gray divorce on your older children
  • Some tax matters associated with divorce
  • Some losses that divorce might cause

Site Info

Home  |   Practice Areas  
Firm Overview
Attorney  |  Blog  |  Contact

Social Media

FacebookTwitterLinkedin

Law Office of Joanne Kleiner | 261 Old York Rd., Ste. 402 | Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-886-1266
Map and Directions

© 2023 Joanne Kleiner. Disclaimer | Sitemap

The Best Lawyers of America Best Law Firms Award Winner Logo