Grandparents’ rights laws in the UK do not automatically afford grandparents any legal entitlement to have contact or be involved in the decision-making over their grandchildren.
Only the mother of the child and any other holders of Parental Responsibility are automatically afforded parental rights. The rights of grandparents are typically established within the family through bonds and communication.
In the event that these relationships break down, one of our expert grandparents’ rights solicitors can help.
At HPLP, we have years of expertise in resolving family matters and reestablishing communication and childcare arrangements.
We oversee all crucial elements of family dispute resolution and prioritise finding an out-of-court solution wherever possible. Some of the grandparents’ rights services that we offer include:
- Family and grandparent mediation
- Visitation rights
- Applying for custody of grandchildren
For other queries, please refer to our child law solicitors in London or our family law solicitors in London.
Speak to our grandparents’ rights solicitors in London today
Contact our skilled grandparents’ rights lawyers in London now by calling 0330 025 0176 or emailing info@roselegal.co.uk. Alternatively, you can use the contact form on this page and we’ll get back to you promptly.
For other queries, please refer to our child law solicitors in London or our family law solicitors in London.
How our grandparents’ rights solicitors in London can help you
Family and grandparent mediation
Ideally, your access to your grandchildren will be determined through positive relationships with one or both of the parents.
An effective way of resolving any issues and maintaining this type of relationship is through mediation.
Where appropriate, our solicitors will always prefer mediation services such as arbitration, mediation, or conciliation.
This is largely less expensive, more time effective, more flexible, and the most amicable way to make family arrangements.
Visitation rights
A specialist grandparents’ rights solicitor can help you if you are being unfairly denied access to your grandchildren. It’s important to speak to a solicitor who can examine the details of your case and advise you on the options available to you.
Wherever possible, our team will strive to settle the case out of court as this is faster and less expensive. Often, the problem can be resolved through mediated discussions and a well written, clearly communicated letter that your solicitor can write on your behalf.
If litigation proves unavoidable, your solicitor can help you to apply for a Child Arrangements Order, which will legally determine the amount and sort of contact that you have with your grandchild.
Applying for custody of grandchildren
You may feel it necessary to apply for custody of your grandchild. In this event, our grandparents’ rights solicitors in London can advise you of your options and put together a strong case to help you achieve a fair outcome.
The court will decide on the outcome of your claim based on what’s best for your grandchildren. Wherever possible, they will preserve the child’s relationship with you and be mindful of the potential impact that a custody dispute may have on the child’s wellbeing.
Grandparents’ rights FAQs
What rights do grandparents have?
In the UK, grandparents have no formal rights over their grandchildren, and neither the maternal nor paternal sides of the family are in a more or less favourable position. The court will commit to whatever decision protects the well-being of the child.
Can a parent stop a child from seeing their grandparents?
A parent can stop grandparents from seeing their child for any reason that they see fit. Unfortunately, your rights as a grandparent are limited, which can be particularly distressing when parents separate.
The grandparents’ rights after a divorce should be a part of the discussion during the separation, as children should have access to all possible positive and supportive presences at that time.
How do I apply for grandparents’ rights?
To apply for grandparents’ rights, you’ll need to attend at least one meeting about mediation before you can apply to the court. There is a chance that you may be exempt from this, however, if the child’s safety is at risk, for example, if domestic abuse is involved.
Should the meeting fail to resolve the matter, then you’ll need to:
- Complete the C100 application form.
- Send the C100 to the closest family court.
- Have the mediator who oversaw your meeting sign the court order confirming that you attended the meetings.
- Pay a £215 court fee.
From there, the court will decide if you have the right to spend time with the grandchild and the nature of that time, i.e., if it will be on the telephone, by letters, or in person.
The court will also determine other factors that affect your grandparents’ rights, such as where the child lives and who they live with.
How much does it cost to get grandparents’ rights?
We recommend that you budget for a minimum of £6,000 in order to keep the process seamless, including court applications and specialist help. However, costs could be considerably less if the matter is successfully resolved outside of court.
Our grandparents’ rights solicitors in London promise a transparent and communicative approach, including an upfront overview of the expected costs and regular updates to any change in fees throughout the process.
Can I get a court order to see my grandchildren?
You may be able to apply for a Child Arrangement Order, which determines where a child lives, when they spend time with the person named in the order and the nature of how that time is spent.
This is a serious court intervention and will only be made if it is evidently in the child’s best interests and outweighs the potential harm that the legal process itself could have on the child’s wellbeing.
Speak to our grandparents’ rights solicitors in London today
Contact our skilled grandparents’ rights lawyers in London now by calling 0330 025 0176 or emailing info@roselegal.co.uk. Alternatively, you can use the contact form on this page and we’ll get back to you promptly.
For other queries, please refer to our child law solicitors in London or our family law solicitors in London.