Navigating Grandparents’ Visitation Rights in Oklahoma
Factors in Determining Grandparents’ Visitation Rights
Do grandparents have visitation rights in Oklahoma? As an Oklahoma lawyer, I can tell you that it’s not a given. The court considers three main factors in determining whether or not grandparents have a right to visitation to their grandchildren.
First and foremost, the court looks to see if there is an intact nuclear family. This is a family where a mother and a father, or both parents present at birth, are married. However, many reasons could disrupt the nuclear family, such as divorce, separation, annulment, or the death of a parent. If a parent is incarcerated, that is also viewed as disrupting the nuclear family. In these cases, the court will consider the grandparents’ visitation rights.
Secondly, the court considers whether it would be in the best interest of the child to have visitation rights with their grandparents. This is often determined by looking at the relationship between the grandparents and the child, as well as the grandparents’ ability to provide a safe and stable environment for the child.
Lastly, if the parents are deemed unfit or the child would suffer harm if they could not have visitation rights with their grandparents, the court may grant visitation rights to the grandparents.
Preexisting Relationship with the Grandchild
If the grandparents had a preexisting and continuous relationship with their grandchild, this might also be considered by the court. Oftentimes, the court will look to see if the grandparents were involved in the child’s life before the disruption of the nuclear family occurred.
It’s important to note that there are many other considerations for the court in determining grandparents’ rights. If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a grandparent, I’d be happy to discuss them with you.
Strategy Session with Lindsay McDowell
If you’re unsure about your rights as a grandparent in Oklahoma or need legal advice on any family law matter, please contact me at makelaweasy.com or 918-932-2800. As an experienced Oklahoma grandparents’ rights attorney, I offer an initial strategy session to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your case.
