Columbus and Delaware, Ohio Family Law Attorney
If you are concerned for your grandchildren in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Columbus and Delaware, Ohio family law attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your case and assist you in protecting your grandparent rights. Call Johnson Legal, LLC at (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your family law matter.
Grandparents Rights in Ohio – Seeking Custody
A common question that many grandparents have when they are concerned for their grandchildren is “Do we have any legal rights?” The answer is “yes.” Grandparents have rights to custody and visitation in Ohio.
When grandparents are concerned for their grandchild(ren), they may file a motion for custody. However, the court will not entertain this motion unless both parents are unfit (referred to as “unsuitable”). If the grandparent is able to establish that both parents are unsuitable, the next element that needs to be established is that it is in the “best interests” of the child to be placed in the custody of the grandparent.
Grandparents Rights to Visitation in Ohio
In Ohio, a court may award visitation rights to a grandparent if the grandparent has an interest in the welfare of the grandchild and visitation is in the grandchild’s best interest. Ohio law permits grandparent visitation in three circumstances:
- When married parents divorce or otherwise separate;
- When a parent of the child is deceased; or
- When the child is born to an unmarried woman.
However, prior to requesting visitation, paternal grandparents must establish paternity.
In addition, grandparents may file a motion for visitation at any time during a divorce case, even after the divorce has been granted, requesting that the court award them their own visitation schedule with their grandchildren.
Family Law Attorney – Columbus and Delaware, Ohio
If you are concerned for your grandchildren in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Columbus and Delaware, Ohio family law attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your case and assist you in protecting your grandparent rights. Call Johnson Legal, LLC at (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your family law matter.