Children growing up in divorced families may have one problem that they deal with over and over again; there are more people who want to see them than they can see when they're split between two homes. When parents divorce, it sometimes makes it harder for children to see their extended family members. This is true either due to the time constraints or because of ill feelings among family members.
Regardless of what's happened, grandparents may want to know what they can do to guarantee some time with their grandchildren. In Texas, continuing contact is normally allowed when a parent approves of visitation. If a parent refuses to allow access, Texas law does not legally entitle grandparents to see their grandchildren.
Can grandparents fight for visitation or custody?
There are a few cases in which a grandparent may have a visitation case heard. They include if a parent isn't living with the child, if one parent is deceased, if the parent is mentally incompetent or if a parent is incarcerated. After the court agrees to hear the case because of one of these conditions, a grandparent has to show that it's in the child's best interests to have an ongoing relationship with the grandparent. Additionally, the grandparent must have evidence that the child has lives with him or her for at least six months, that the children's parents are divorced, that there is abuse or neglect involved in the case or that the parents' relationship with the child has been terminated.
If you're thinking about seeking visitation or custody rights as a grandparent, know that it can be a difficult road to travel. With support, it's possible to get your case heard, which could help you obtain visitation rights.