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Grandparent Rights

Serving Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA

Grandparents, an Essential Part of the Family

Grandparents are vital members of any family — maybe even more so in times of difficult familial circumstances like divorce or abuse. As such, it’s important for grandparents to know and protect their rights so that they can help ensure the ongoing well-being of their grandchild.

This can be a complex and delicate situation to maneuver through. However, Gevurtz Menashe is here to help. We can make this overwhelming experience a bit easier for you and your family.


 

Why Grandparents Need to Be Involved

In certain cases, the state gets involved with the welfare of a child and grandparents can be a tremendous resource when determining and providing for the child’s best interests. Grandparents can offer their grandchild care, comfort, and continuity.

Typically, grandparents may step in when their grandchild is under the responsibility of unfit or unavailable parents. This could be due to concerns that the parents or other custodial caregivers are:
  • Having psychological issues
  • In prison
  • Lacking stable housing
  • Unable to provide for the basic needs (e.g., food) for the child
  • Living in unsafe conditions
  • Struggling with substance use problems
  • Absent

A grandparent’s role as primary caregiver may be permanent or last just until the child can safely return home.

Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Grandchild

The bond between grandparents and grandkids is uniquely special and important. Because we really take this to heart, we’re deeply committed to helping you secure access to your grandchild. You can count on Gevurtz Menashe to fight on your behalf for:

  • Visitation rights
  • Award of legal custody
  • Non-parent guardianship
  • Ensuring proper child custody arrangements

Get the Lawyer You Deserve — One Who Specializes in Grandparent Rights

Abundant Experience

You can have faith in our record of success in cases like yours. Our decades of practicing family law and amassing knowledge work in your favor.

Comprehensive Approach

You'll find that we make the legal process easier and achieve better outcomes, thanks to our rigorous methodology and attention to detail.

Family Mentality

You’re in good company with Gevurtz Menashe. Our empathetic team understands the stresses you're encountering and is here to assist you from Day 1.

Meet Our Lawyers for Children

Our Locations

Vancouver

Portland

Our Clients Say It Best

“As an attorney/mediator in private practice in Portland, Oregon for over 20 years, I have facilitated numerous family law mediations with attorneys from the Gevurtz Menashe  firm and their clients. I can always count on the Gevurtz Menashe attorneys to be well prepared, professional and strong advocates for their clients in the settlement process. To a one, the attorneys bring strong skills, common sense and the desire to do the best for their clients, not only in litigation, but in negotiations that lead to appropriate settlements and avoid unnecessary litigation and the costs of trial.”

-Ingrid Slezak
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Grandparent rights refer to a grandparent's legal entitlement to access a grandchild. Grandparents can request visitation rights, custody, and more — but they must demonstrate how it's in the child's best interest. These rights are based on laws to protect both the grandparent and grandchild and vary from state to state.

Grandparents have the right to participate in their grandchild's guardianship process. The process varies from state to state but typically involves filing a petition with the court and attending a hearing. During the court hearing, there will be a determination as to whether or not the guardian is fit to care for the child. The guardianship process isn’t always straightforward, so it’s critical to hire an attorney for grandparent rights.

Both Oregon and Washington permit grandparents visitation and custody rights, though the conditions and circumstances vary. Grandparents must demonstrate having had a meaningful relationship with their grandchild and that it's in the child's best interest to maintain that connection.

Learn More with a Consultation

Gevurtz Menashe knows the importance of family and the fine points of family law. For over 40 years, we've been helping secure grandparent rights in Washington and Oregon. If you need qualified and caring legal representation, don't hesitate to contact us at our Portland (503-227-1515) or Vancouver (360-823-0410) office for a consultation.