The relationship between a grandparent and grandchild may be a strong one. However, grandparents in Pennsylvania and throughout the country may find that they have been denied visitation rights to their grandchildren. Grandparents who wish to sue for visitation rights to a grandchild need to consider the financial cost as well as the impact it could have on the entire family. Generally speaking, the cost of legal representation depends on the complexity of a given case.
A plaintiff who loses a child custody or visitation case may be required to pay the legal fees of the other party involved. It is also possible that the case returns to court in the future even if a grandparent is successful in obtaining visitation rights.
The grandchild could be impacted in a variety of ways if a grandparent chooses to sue for visitation rights. For example, the suit could require the child to talk about family issues to strangers such as social workers. The cost of the suit could put stress on the child’s parents, and that stress may manifest itself in many ways at home. A grandchild may also feel forced to choose between a parent and a grandparent. Grandparents should remember that any decision in a visitation case will be made based on the best interests of the child.
Obtaining visitation rights may be easier with the help of an attorney. In some cases, a legal professional can help resolve the matter without going to court. Instead, it may be settled by going to mediation or holding private talks with other family members. This may allow a grandparent to obtain a favorable resolution to the matter while causing minimal stress to the child. It may also prevent other family relationships from being strained or broken.
