Grandparents’ rights can be vitally important to any grandparent seeking visitation with their grandchild. It is helpful for grandparents concerned about visiting their grandchild to be familiar with child custody rules in Georgia.
Grandparents’ rights in Georgia
In Georgia, grandparents’ rights are recognized. Grandparents’ rights and interests can include custody, visitation or adoption. Grandparents’ rights may come up in situations such as:
- When the child’s parent is deceased and the parents of the deceased parent are seeking grandparent visitation;
- When the child’s parents are divorced or separated and the grandparents are seeking visitation of the child;
- When the child’s parents have substance abuse issues and the grandparents are seeking custody of the child;
- When the grandchild is living with the grandparents so the grandparents may wish to seek custody or adoption of the child.
Child custody decisions or changes are always made based on what is in the best interests of the child. A number of different factors are considered to determine what is in the best interests of the child. What is best for the child and what the child needs may change over time but is always the focus of all child custody determinations. When grandparents are seeking to enjoy their rights to visitation or otherwise, what is best for the child is always the guiding principle.
Understand the process thoroughly
Because the child custody process values children having ongoing relationships with their grandparents, it is helpful for grandparents to understand the child custody process and how they can enforce their rights. It is useful information to have when grandparents are seeking visitation or custody of a grandchild.
