Grandparents’ Rights Lawyer Helping You Maintain Meaningful Relationships

Losing contact with your grandchildren can be devastating, and I understand what that relationship means to you and your grandchildren. At The Law Office of Gary J. Natale P.C., I have over 30 years focused exclusively on family law, and I am here to help you protect your family.

Understanding Grandparents’ Rights In New Jersey

New Jersey law gives grandparents the right to seek visitation or, in limited cases, custody of their grandchildren. Courts grant grandparent custody only in exceptional circumstances, such as when parents are unfit, have abandoned the child or other extraordinary situations exist. Siblings, aunts and uncles may also seek visitation under certain circumstances.

New Jersey courts apply the best interests of the child standard to all custody and visitation cases. You must first show you had a relationship with the grandchild and that denying visitation would harm the child, then prove visitation serves the child’s best interests.

Situations That May Support A Grandparents’ Rights Case In New Jersey

Grandparents’ rights cases arise in many situations. If you are wondering whether your circumstances qualify, here are some common scenarios courts have recognized:

• Parental substance abuse: A parent’s drug or alcohol problem can make your stable presence critical to your grandchild’s well-being.
• Incarceration of a parent: A parent’s imprisonment can give grandparents grounds to seek continued contact.
• Mental health issues affecting parenting: A parent’s untreated condition may give you grounds to seek visitation or custody.
• Domestic violence in the home: A volatile home environment makes a grandparent’s safe relationship even more vital to a child.
• Parents preventing contact without cause: When a parent cuts off contact without reason, a court may step in.
• Death of an adult child: When a grandchild’s parent dies, the surviving parent may cut ties with that parent’s family.

Adoption can significantly affect your rights. Stepparent adoption may preserve your visitation rights if the stepparent married your deceased child’s spouse, but other adoptions typically end your legal standing entirely. If adoption is part of your situation, consulting an attorney quickly is essential.

Protect Your Place In Your Grandchildren’s Lives

Your bond with your grandchildren is worth fighting for. At The Law Office of Gary J. Natale P.C., I offer free consultations and give every client personal, dedicated attention. Call my office at 973-821-4199 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation today.