Minneapolis Grandparents’ Rights Lawyer

Grandparents’ Rights Attorney in Minneapolis, MN

It can be an incredibly taxing and overwhelming situation to watch your child go through a divorce, separation, or other legal problems. This is especially true when your grandchildren are involved, and your right to visit them or look after them is at stake. Fortunately, a Minneapolis grandparents’ rights lawyer can help you protect your legal relationship with your grandchild and advocate for your rights throughout proceedings.

About CC&S Attorneys at Law

At Carson, Clelland & Schreder, we leverage our extensive knowledge of family law and decades of experience in the courtroom to help grandparents protect their relationships with their grandchildren. We can help you understand your rights as a grandparent in Minneapolis and assist in identifying powerful legal strategies that can help you maintain your relationships moving forward.

Whether your child is threatening to take away access to your grandchildren or you believe your grandchild’s guardian is putting them in immediate harm, our team can help you protect your grandchild and advocate for their interests.

Do Minneapolis Grandparents Have Visitation Rights?

Although grandparents may not have as many rights as parents when it comes to their grandchildren, they still have legal rights under Minnesota law. In fact, when contact with grandchildren is considered to be in the child’s best interests and said contact won’t interfere with the parents’ relationship with the children, grandparents often have the right to petition the court for visitation under specific statutory circumstances.

If you’re a grandparent who wants visitation rights in Minneapolis, you must know that Minnesota law permits petitions only in certain circumstances. ​In addition, you’ll need to file a petition for visitation through the Hennepin County District Court. It’s also worth noting that you can usually file for visitation after mediation attempts have failed, but this isn’t always required.

A grandparents’ rights lawyer from our firm can help you identify the right legal tools to use to maintain your relationship.

Do Grandparents Have Custody Rights in Minnesota?

About 2.1 million children are currently with their grandparents across the country. Although there is much debate surrounding whether a grandparent should be responsible for looking after their grandchild, it doesn’t take away from the fact that some grandparents believe this to be the better decision.

If you’re a grandparent in Minneapolis and you feel you should have custody of your grandchild rather than regular visits, it might be possible if you petition the court as an ‘interested third party’ or as a “de facto custodian” per Minn. Stat. § 257C.03.

However, it is up to the local courts to determine if your grandchild will be safer living with you and away from their biological parents. Usually, a third-party custody order is considered in the following situations:

• Psychological or physical abuse is present.
• Both parents have abandoned the child.
• The parents routinely abuse drugs or alcohol.
• One or both parents were incarcerated.
• A parent cannot act in the best interests of the child or care for them because of a mental or physical handicap.

Proving why a grandparent may need custody rights in Minnesota can be difficult, but with help from a skilled lawyer, you can advocate for your grandchild’s best interests.

Why Families Choose to Hire a Grandparents’ Rights Lawyer in Minneapolis

A Minneapolis grandparents’ rights attorney can help Minneapolis families in a variety of ways. The team at CC&S Attorneys at Law can:

• Help grandparents prove that a substantial relationship exists and that denying visitation is harmful to the child.
• Assist with negotiation and mediation with parents outside of court. Usually, with a lawyer’s assistance, amicable visitation agreements can be made, and conflicts minimized.
• In some situations, circumstances change, and we can help with modifying existing orders surrounding custody or visitation.
• Help gather evidence that proves the child’s current situation is harmful.

FAQs

Can Grandparents Request Visitation If the Parents Object in Minnesota?

Although parents have the right to object to visitations with grandparents and grandchildren in Minnesota, a grandparent can still file a petition for visitation. Minnesota courts will carefully weigh parental concerns when opposition to grandparent visitation exists. An attorney can analyze your case and guide you towards the right legal options in these situations.

How Long Does a Grandparents’ Rights Case Take to Settle in Minneapolis?

There is no predetermined timeline for a grandparents’ rights case in Minneapolis, as case timelines can depend on court scheduling and whether the case is contested. However, in general, some cases in Hennepin County Family Court can be resolved within a few months, while others may take significantly longer if evaluations and hearings are needed.

How Much Visitation Time Can a Grandparent Request in Minneapolis?

How much visitation time you’re granted will depend on the circumstances of your case. However, sometimes grandparents who are very involved in their grandchildren’s lives can request visitation as often as every other weekend. In other situations, however, visitation may be granted only once a month, during the summer, or during school breaks.

What Factors Are Considered in a Grandparent’s Visitation or Custody Case in Minnesota?

There are many factors considered in a grandparent’s visitation or custody case in Minnesota. The most important factor that is considered is the best interests of a child. If the court believes that visitation with a grandparent or grandparent custody is more beneficial to a child, they may rule in the grandparent’s favor. A court will assess your existing relationship with your grandchild and the potential impact your involvement has on their life. 

Hire a Grandparents’ Rights Lawyer in Minnesota Today

At CC&S Attorneys at Law, countless Minnesota residents have trusted our attorneys to protect their rights and advocate for their interests. We understand how complex grandparents’ rights cases can become and are prepared to work toward an optimal resolution. Our dedicated team of lawyers has been providing accessible legal representation surrounding grandparents’ rights laws for more than 45 years.

​If you’re ready to secure legal help and pursue grandparents’ rights in Minneapolis, contact our firm today.