Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. Families change. Parents split up, someone dies, or the children stop calling. When that happens, some grandparents step in to help raise, support, or stay connected to their grandkids.
But what happens if the child’s parent cuts you off? What if your grandchild is living in an unsafe home? Can you do anything? You may have legal options, and our grandparent rights lawyer in West Hartford will review them with you and advise you on your next steps.
At Rich Rochlin Family Law, we treat every family situation with care. Our West Hartford child custody lawyer understands how important the grandparent–grandchild bond is. We work closely with families to protect that relationship, especially when custody is at stake. Call today to discuss your situation in a private case review.
Our Grandparent Rights Attorney in West Hartford Will Help You
At our firm, we see grandparents not just as part of the family but often as the ones holding it together. We understand how hard it is to take legal action for custody, especially when it involves people you love.
Here’s what our family lawyer in West Hartford can do for you:
- Explain your rights: We will tell you what the law says and what your chances are in court.
- File petitions: If you qualify for custody or visitation, we will file the paperwork to start the legal process.
- Stand up for you in court: We have the trial experience needed to present your case clearly and effectively.
- Protect the child’s best interest: Judges care most about what’s best for the child. We help show why staying connected to you is in their best interest.
- Help with emergencies: If a child is in danger, we can take urgent legal action.
You will never feel like just another case. We will look at the full picture—your family, your future, and what’s at stake and offer legal counsel you can trust.
Call today for a consultation with a grandparent rights lawyer serving West Hartford (860) 357-9158
What Rights Do Grandparents Have in Connecticut?
You may be able to seek:
- Custody: If your grandchild’s parents are unfit or unable to care for them, you may be able to seek custody, especially if the child already lives with you.
- Visitation rights: If you’ve had a close relationship with your grandchild and being cut off is harming them emotionally, the court may allow regular visits.
- Adoption: In some rare cases, grandparents may adopt a grandchild—usually if both parents have lost custody or died. A West Hartford grandparent custody lawyer from our firm will explain when this is possible.
- Guardianship: This gives you legal rights to care for your grandchild and make decisions for them—like school, health care, and housing—without fully adopting them.
All of these are big decisions that can affect your family for a long time. You need someone who truly understands family law and cares about your future, not just filing papers.
Rich Rochlin Family Law takes a personal, hands-on approach to every case we handle. We are ready to go to trial if that’s what it takes, but we are also here to give you real advice and honest answers. Call us today for a private consultation about your case.
Why Grandparent Rights Matter
Your role as a grandparent can mean everything to a child. Maybe you’ve always been the one to take them to school, babysit them after work, or even help raise them full-time. When something threatens that connection—like a divorce, death, or family conflict—it can feel like your hands are tied.
However, in Connecticut, the law gives grandparents the chance to fight for their relationship with their grandchildren. Our grandparents’ legal rights lawyer in West Hartford will guide you through this legal process.
This isn’t just about custody or court papers. It is about protecting the relationship you’ve built and making sure your grandchild stays connected to people who love them.
West Hartford Grandparent Rights Lawyer Near Me (860) 357-9158
Real-Life Scenarios Where Grandparents Step In
To understand when you might need legal help, here are some examples:
- After a divorce: Your son divorces, and his ex-spouse doesn’t let you see your grandchildren anymore, even though you were always involved in their lives.
- After a death: Your daughter dies, and the other parent moves and cuts off all contact between you and your grandchild.
- When there’s abuse or neglect: You notice that your grandchild’s home life is dangerous. You’ve called the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, but nothing changes, and you want to do more.
- You have been the primary caregiver: Your grandchild lives with you. You’ve raised them for years while their parent struggled with substance addiction or left town.
These stories may feel all too familiar or hit close to home. When you’re suddenly left out or pushed aside, it can feel like there’s nothing you can do. But our legal team will help you take the steps the law allows so that your voice and story are heard.
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What the Court Considers When Grandparents Seek Custody or Visits
In Connecticut, grandparents don’t automatically have legal rights to visit or care for their grandchildren. Before the court will consider your request, you must meet certain requirements.
Our team will determine if your situation meets the legal standard, which may include:
- A close relationship with the child: You have spent regular time with your grandchild and played a meaningful role in their life.
- Harm to the child: Cutting off that relationship is likely to hurt the child emotionally or mentally.
- A disrupted or unsafe family situation: One parent has died, is absent, or is unfit to care for the child.
Judges don’t grant visitation or custody lightly. You will need to show why your involvement is in the child’s best interest. That’s where we come in. At Rich Rochlin Family Law, we know what the court needs to see and how to present your case clearly and respectfully.
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Things to Think About as You Consider Your Rights as a Grandparent
Before you call a West Hartford grandparents’ rights attorney, take some time to think through the following:
- What is your relationship with the child now?
- How did your family situation change?
- Have you tried to work things out peacefully?
- Is the child safe and well cared for?
- Do you have proof of your involvement in the child’s life? (Photographs, text messages, school pick-ups, etc.)
These kinds of details matter in these cases. The more you can share, the more clearly our lawyer can build your case.
Talk to a West Hartford Grandparent Rights Lawyer Who Cares
At Rich Rochlin Family Law, we’re not just legal professionals. We’re people who understand what families go through because we come from families just like yours. Our attorney is local, hands-on, and personally involved in every case.
If you feel shut out of your grandchild’s life, you don’t have to accept it. There are legal ways to stay connected and protect that bond. Our grandparent rights lawyer in West Hartford will give you real answers and help you decide what’s worth fighting for.
You’ve already given so much to your grandchild. We will help you protect that bond. Whether you’re seeking custody, guardianship, or simply the chance to visit, we’ll guide you through the legal process with care and confidence. Call to speak with us during a private consultation.
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