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Grandparents’ Rights

Determined Attorneys Protect Grandparents’ Rights in New York

Buffalo lawyers help maintain extended family relations through visitation

When your own children have left the nest and have started families of their own, you no doubt treasure building relationships with your grandchildren. When a divorce threatens to interrupt this familial connection, the court might grant you visitation rights. If you are in that situation, the Law Offices of Randy S. Margulis is ready to take the legal steps necessary to help you maintain your bond with your grandchildren.

When grandparents are entitled to visitation in New York

A family court may grant you visitation with your biological or adoptive grandchildren if it finds, after a hearing, that it is in their best interests and that any of the following is true:

  • You have an existing, substantial relationship with the grandchildren.
  • The grandchildren’s custodial parents are interfering with your relationship with the grandchildren.
  • One or both of the grandchildren’s parents are deceased.

Your right to obtain court-ordered visitation doesn’t necessarily end even if your grandchildren are adopted into another family to which you are not related. If you qualify for continued visitation, we will work diligently to secure the recognition and enforcement of those rights in family court.

What factors does the court consider in making a decision on visitation?

Because the family court is required to consider the best interests of children first and foremost, it will not necessarily rule in your favor because you meet one of the basic requirements. The court must also consider these factors:

  • The grandchild’s age
  • If the grandchild is sufficiently mature, that child’s personal preferences
  • The mental and physical health of you, the grandchild and the grandchild’s parents
  • Your current and past relationship with the grandchild and his or her parents
  • Your nurturing skills and your attitude toward the grandchild’s parents
  • The distance the grandchild must travel in order to visit with you, especially in the case of a relocation by the grandchild’s custodial parent

When we ask the court to vindicate grandparents’ rights, we make sure to cover all of these factors and to present all available evidence and legal arguments in favor of granting visitation.

Why you need a grandparents’ rights attorney in your corner

The burden is on grandparents to prove that the family court should grant them visitation. You are better equipped to do this with the aid of an experienced family law attorney. If at least one of the grandchildren’s parents objects to visitation, you may expect them to be represented by their own attorney who will present evidence and legal arguments as to why visitation is not in the child’s best interest. Our focus on family law and determination will substantially improve your chances of success over this opposition, while we treat you with the compassion you deserve.

Contact a thorough Buffalo area grandparents’ rights attorney

The Law Offices of Randy S. Margulis represents Western New York clients in a full range of family court matters. Call 716-886-9600 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Williamsville or downtown Buffalo office.

Randy  S.  Margulis Attorney Photo
Randy S. Margulis
Member

As a Buffalo divorce lawyer for 28 years, I have devoted myself to solving the problems that affect families throughout the Buffalo metropolitan area and Western New York. As a family law attorney, I make it my goal to create a partnership of trust with my clients. People put their trust in me to handle cases that can potentially have a long-lasting impact on not only their lives, but the lives of their family as well.

Alexandra M. Rockwood Attorney Photo
Alexandra M. Rockwood
Senior Associate

Alexandra M. Rockwood is a Senior Associate Attorney with the Law Offices of Randy S. Margulis & Associates and has been with the firm since early 2020. She primarily practices in the areas of matrimonial and family law, including divorce, child custody, and child support. Alexandra is a practicing matrimonial and family law attorney as…

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  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Divorce is always an unpleasant event and my case was no exception, yet the guidance, professionalism and ethical strategy that Randy Margulis provided was essential in finding the best solutions for my children, my ex-wife and myself. As the proces...

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  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Divorce is always an unpleasant event and my case was no exception, yet the guidance, professionalism and ethical strategy that Randy Margulis provided was essential in finding the best solutions for my children, my ex-wife and myself. As the proces...

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    Client

  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Randy Margulis is knowledgable of Domestic Law, dedicated, responsive, personable, aggressive and effective. I came to him on a friend's recommendation as well as Randy's reputation, and during the initial consultation I liked his approach and track ...

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    5.0/5.0

    Found Mr. Margulis to be a very organized and professional individual to work with. He is well-respected by his peers and is spoken of highly, I believe this helped with my divorce and made things go smoothly. I would highly recommend his services ...

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  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Randy is very firm and effective in court while empathetic to his clients. I am a domestic violence victim, and Randy made me feel safe and protected. My financial award was more than I envisioned it to be when I started my divorce. I can't thank ...

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