Helping You Navigate the Updated Maryland Visitation Law
Maryland law recently changed in regard to grandparents' rights to child visitation. At the Bowie Law Office of Kari Fawcett, I have been helping families throughout Maryland for nearly 25 years. I can help you understand how this law may affect your visitation goals.
I have represented both sides of this issue. I will devote my full attention and energy to helping you find a solution. My law firm can help you receive or keep your grandparent visitation rights. I can also help if there is a reason to object to grandparent visitation.
Grandparent Issues
With respect to grandparent issues, if you are looking to maintain a close relationship with your grandchildren, you may be disappointed with your options. The new law takes away any presumptions in favor of your right to visitation. This basically means that just because you are a blood relative and a grandparent, you do not automatically get visitation rights.
However, there is hope. If you were a main child care provider for your grandchild before the divorce, as your lawyer, I can help you fight for visitation. However the burden of proof is on you to show that it is in your grandchild's best interest to maintain or have visitation.
There are also situations where grandparents may need to file a third-party complaint for child custody. This can occur in situations that involve:
- Unfit parent(s)
- Child abandonment
- Incarcerated parent
- Unsafe living conditions
I carefully select each case that I handle, so that I can concentrate my energy and focus on finding legal solutions to your family law issues.
Parent Issues
If you are estranged from your parents, you probably have strong feelings about grandparent visitation. You may feel it is not in your children's best interest for them to have contact with their grandparents. As your attorney, I can help structure legal strategies focused on your visitation goals. I can help ensure that your relationship with your parents does not interfere with your relationship with your children.
The new law does not grant instant favor to grandparents for visitation rights. However, your parents may fight for visitation. If that happens, I can help find legal solutions to support your visitation wishes.
Free Consultation
To discuss your situation with a free initial phone consultation, please call me at 301-262-5500 or send me an e-mail.
My office is located in Bowie, Maryland, at the corner of Route 197 and Route 450, just behind the McDonalds.
