It's a sad fact of life that separation and marriage break-ups can lead to people being unable to see their grandchildren. Our experienced grandparent's rights lawyers are here to assist you with the situation and can help you to re-establish contact with your grandchildren wherever possible.
Dedicated family lawyers
Slater and Gordon's team of family lawyers have the empathy and the expertise you need to establish your rights as grandparents. Call us now on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online today and we will call you.
It's a sad fact of life that sometimes when a couple separate - or there is a major falling out between family members for another reason - access to children becomes an area of conflict.
Not only can this make life difficult for a non-resident parent after separation, it can sometimes make it impossible for grandparents to maintain contact with their grandchildren.
Naturally, this isn't ideal for the grandparents or the grandchildren. Unfortunately, the law doesn't give grandparents an automatic right to access.
However, that doesn't mean you have to give up on seeing your grandchildren, as our experienced family lawyers may still be able to help you, by recommending a simple, three-step plan of action.
Speak to the parents
If your son or daughter isn't the resident parent, it's possible that they are having their own problems in getting as much access to their child or children as they would like.
Having said that, your first step should always be to talk to both parents if possible and explain your feelings. If, for some reason, the parents aren't willing or able to help, our family lawyers may be able to make contact on your behalf in an attempt to start an amicable dialogue.
Try to arrange mediation
In cases where the resident parent – or even both parents if the problem is a wider family falling out – isn't willing to grant access to grandparents, the next step is to seek independent mediation.
Many of our family lawyers are members of resolution, which is an organisation that promotes non-confrontational methods of resolving family problems without having to go to court.
This involves all parties meeting on neutral territory, while a trained mediator helps to guide everyone towards a solution that puts the needs of the grandchildren first and foremost.
Seek a contact order in the family court
We believe that court action should always be the last resort in family disputes of this kind. Going to court is not only expensive; it can widen family rifts that might eventually have healed on their own.
Nevertheless, where you are desperate for contact with grandchildren and can see no other options, our experienced family lawyers may be able to act for you to secure a Child Arrangement Order in the Family Court.
Where this action is successful, a judge will make an order that ensures you are able to see your grandchildren regularly.
Legal advice from a grandparent's rights lawyer
We know that every family is unique which is why we carefully tailor our advice to suit individual families' needs and strive to secure the best outcome for you.
The best solicitors to fight your corner! I struggled with a nasty unmarried couple dispute alone for over a year before biting the bullet and paying for proper legal support. I had one previous experience with a cheaper less well known solicitor and I just felt completely let down and not a priority. But with S&G - from start to finish, I felt supported 100% and valued.
B L (family and personal matters case)
Matters were dealt with efficiently with a view to keeping costs to a realistic level and I am well satisfied with the final settlement she managed to achieve on my behalf.
J B (family and personal matters case)
For anyone needing help with family issues I could not recommend Slater and Gordon highly enough. I always had the feeling I had the best looking after my interests and they certainly didn't disappoint.
C I (family and personal matters case)
The best solicitors to fight your corner! I struggled with a nasty unmarried couple dispute alone for over a year before biting the bullet and paying for proper legal support. I had one previous experience with a cheaper less well known solicitor and I just felt completely let down and not a priority. But with S&G - from start to finish, I felt supported 100% and valued. B L (family and personal matters case)