Grandparent Rights

A grandparent’s role

In modern day society, a grandparent’s role can come in all different forms: paternal grandparents, step-grandparents, grandparents who fulfil the role of a full time carer and grandparents who have no contact at all with their grandchildren. Regardless of which, grandparents often play an extremely important part in supporting the family unit as a whole by way of providing childcare or as guardians.

What does our grandparent’s rights service involve?

At Freeths, we understand that Grandparents provide an essential sense of family history and identity and they have a unique and special relationship with their grandchildren. But like all relationships this may change over time. Grandparents can become kinship carers overnight, where they find themselves thrown into a situation where their grandchildren are living with them and they are providing full time care and support.

We have significant experience in acting on behalf of grandparents who find themselves in this situation and need advice, support and guidance through this transition whether it be temporary or permanent.

Coincidentally, we also advise grandparents who have lost contact with their grandchildren. It is estimated that over 1 million children in the UK have lost contact with their grandparents as a result of a family feud. Losing contact with a grandchild can be heart breaking. If talking to your family and working together to agree contact with your grandchild has failed, there are options available for grandparents, such as mediation or making an application to the Court for a Child Arrangements Order.

Whilst grandparents do not have an automatic right to contact with their grandchildren, the Court does recognise the importance of the special relationship between grandparent and grandchild, and are supportive of the invaluable role they play in their lives.

How our family law team can help

We offer services specifically to Grandparents which include initial advice, assistance when arranging mediation (if necessary), negotiating and corresponding on the client’s behalf, and applications for Child Arrangements Order and Appeals. We are also able to conduct advocacy for clients who require representation within Court proceedings. This provides a cost-effective approach for our clients.

We are committed to settling issues relating to the family home, finances and children in a sensitive and cost effective manner.

If you would like to receive any further advice in respect to your rights and support you need as a grandparent please contact one of the family law team.