Getting custody of a grandchild is a complex and challenging process in Greenville, SC. You must follow a set of procedures and policies that govern the right of birth parents as well as grandparents. Having a family custody lawyer in Greenville, SC, on your side in a custody case is beneficial during the process.
As a grandparent, you do not have as many rights as a birth parent. You can gain custody, however, if you can show that the birth parents are unfit to care for their children. In some cases, it is easy to get custody of a grandchild. The birth parents may relinquish their rights as parents and allow you to voluntarily gain custody of their children.
In other cases, gaining custody of a grandchild is more difficult. The birth parents may fight for their rights to keep their children. The laws in Greenville, SC, favor birth parents but look out for the welfare of the child.
As a grandparent, you need to prove that a birth parent is no longer capable of caring for their children. This means that the birth parents are lacking in their parenting skills due to issues in their life.
There may be drug or alcohol use that prevents them from being a good parent to their child. They may have financial problems that prevent them from providing for their children. Or, the birth parents may abuse their children.
Gaining custody of a grandchild will allow a grandparent to make medical, financial, and educational decisions for the child. Without custody, a grandparent has no rights and cannot make these important decisions for their grandchildren.
To obtain custody of a grandchild, it is recommended that you speak to a family law attorney in Greenville, SC. They can file the motion on your behalf to seek custody from the birth parents. They also will build a case against the birth parents to show their inability to care for their children.
In some custody cases in Greenville, SC, the grandparents are awarded temporary custody. This allows the grandparents to care for their grandchildren until the birth parents can resume these responsibilities. The court will then determine when the birth parents can have custody of their children once again.
Grandparents also have a right to their grandchildren who are in foster care. Grandparents, with the help of a family custody lawyer in Greenville, SC, can seek custody by petitioning the court. Keep in mind that the Greenville, SC court system always seeks the best interest of the child. In most cases, it is best that the child is placed with family rather than in a foster care environment.
Grandparents also have the right to become de facto custodians of their grandchildren. By proving to the court that they are the primary caregiver and financial provider, they can gain custody. The grandparent must have cared for a child for at least six months if they are under age three. They must have cared for them for at least one year if they are three years old or older. Speaking to a family custody lawyer in Greenville, SC can help you better understand your rights as a grandparent.
The Help You Need from a Family Law Attorney in Greenville, SC
As a grandparent seeking custody of a grandchild, you want to work with a family law attorney in Greenville, SC. There are motions to file, hearings to attend, evidence to present, and a decision by the court to contend with.
Your family custody lawyer in Greenville, SC, can help you with the process of filing for custody of your grandchildren. They will answer all your questions about your custody rights. They will fight to win your case. You can count on your family custody lawyer in Greenville, SC, to help you get custody of your grandchildren.
Contact a Family Custody Lawyer in Greenville, SC, Today
If you are a grandparent seeking custody of a grandchild, you need a family custody lawyer in Greenville, SC. The family law attorneys at Greenville Family Law can help. They will advise you of your legal rights and help you fight for custody of your grandchildren. You can count on the family law attorneys at Greenville Family Law no matter the circumstances. Contact us today to discuss your case with a consultation. We are ready to assist you now.