Grandparent Visitation: Legal Insights for Oklahoma Families
Hi, my name is Dylan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and I work out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Today we will discuss whether or not a grandparent can have any rights to a minor child. For example, if you want court-ordered visitation rights with your son or daughter or your son-in-law or daughter-in-law’s children, you may wonder if this is possible.
The answer is yes, you can indeed get court-ordered visitation time with your grandchildren here in the state of Oklahoma. However, certain requirements must be met to obtain these rights.
Key Requirements for Grandparent Visitation Rights
Specifically, you’ll need to satisfy three main prongs. The first prong focuses on the family of the minor child and whether it is an intact nuclear family. If the answer to this is yes, you will likely be unable to obtain court-ordered visitation rights.
So, are the two parents together with their child? If everything is okay at home, the answer is likely no, and we would then move on to the next prong: the best interest of the child. This consideration applies to almost any situation involving children’s rights and visitation decisions.
Assessing Parental Fitness and Child Welfare
When evaluating the best interest of the child, we consider whether the parents are unfit or if there would be potential harm to the child if the grandparent did not receive visitation time. Determining potential harm is often straightforward, as judges can easily identify situations where a child might be at risk.
However, assessing whether the parents are fit can be more complex. Courts typically look for key indicators, such as dependency on drugs or alcohol, mental and emotional stability, and any history of violence in the home or outside of it.
Take Action for Your Grandparent Rights
If you found this information useful and believe it could assist someone else or yourself, please visit theoklahomaattorney.com. Again, my name is Dylan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and I hope you enjoyed this discussion.
Schedule a Low-Cost Consultation
If you need more personalized advice from a child custody attorney in Oklahoma City regarding grandparent rights and visitation, we offer a low-cost consultation. Call a Oklahoma City attorney today at 405-888-5400 to discuss your situation and explore your options.
