Are you being denied time with your grandchild and wondering whether a Kissimmee grandparents’ rights attorney can help? At Lebron Law, PLLC, we understand how painful it can be to lose contact with a child you love. If you are facing this situation in Kissimmee, Florida, call us today at (321) 800-5195 to schedule a free consultation and learn about your legal options.
Grandparents often play an important role in a child’s life. However, Florida law gives strong protection to parents’ rights to decide who spends time with their children. If you live in Kissimmee, FL, understanding how the law works is the first step toward protecting your relationship.
How Can Lebron Law, PLLC Help With Asserting Grandparents’ Rights in Kissimmee, FL?
At Lebron Law, PLLC, we help families throughout Kissimmee, FL, navigate complex family law matters, including grandparents’ rights cases. We understand that these cases are emotional and require both compassion and a strong legal strategy.
Our firm may assist by:
- Explaining Florida grandparents’ rights laws in simple terms
- Reviewing your family’s specific situation
- Helping gather evidence to support your petition
- Preparing and filing the proper court documents
- Representing you in hearings or mediation
- Advising you on temporary custody, visitation, or emergency relief options
We work with grandparents across Kissimmee, Florida, to help them understand their options and pursue meaningful involvement in their grandchild’s life. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Kissimmee family lawyer.
Do Grandparents Have Visitation Rights in Florida?
Florida law provides limited circumstances in which grandparents may seek court-ordered visitation. Under Florida Statute § 752.011, grandparents may petition for visitation if certain legal conditions are met.
A grandparent may seek visitation if:
- Both parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state
- One parent is deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state, and the other parent has been convicted of a felony or offense of violence that poses a threat of harm to the child
Even if one of these conditions exists, the court must still find that visitation is in the child’s best interests and will not harm the parent-child relationship. Florida courts are very careful when reviewing these cases.
Because parents have a constitutional right to raise their children, grandparents must meet strict legal requirements before visitation can be granted.
What About Temporary Custody by Extended Family?
In some situations, grandparents may seek temporary custody of a grandchild. This is often done under Florida Statute § 751.03, which allows extended family members to request temporary custody if the child’s parents are unable to provide proper care.
Temporary custody may be appropriate when:
- A parent is incarcerated
- A parent struggles with substance abuse
- A parent has abandoned the child
- A parent cannot provide a safe home
The court must determine that placing the child with the grandparent is in the child’s best interests. Temporary custody grants a grandparent the authority to make decisions about school, healthcare, and daily care.
What Does “Best Interests of the Child” Mean in Florida?
In all cases involving children, Florida courts focus on the best interests of the child. This standard guides decisions about time-sharing and parental responsibility, even when grandparents are involved.
When evaluating a grandparent’s petition, the court may consider:
- The existing relationship between the grandparent and child
- The emotional ties between them
- The moral fitness and mental health of the parties
- The child’s need for stability
- Any history of abuse or neglect
- Whether visitation would disrupt the parent-child bond
The court’s goal is always to protect the child’s emotional and physical well-being above all else.
What If the Parents Object to Visitation?
If a parent objects to grandparent visitation and is considered fit, the court will give special weight to that parent’s decision. This is because parents have strong constitutional rights under both Florida law and the U.S. Constitution.
When both parents are alive and actively caring for the child, it can be very difficult for a grandparent to obtain court-ordered visitation. The burden of proof rests on the grandparent to show harm and the best interests of the child support visitation.
Because these cases are legally complex, working with an experienced Kissimmee family law attorney can help ensure your case is properly presented.
Can Grandparents Seek Time-sharing?
Florida does not use the term custody. Instead, the law refers to shared parental responsibility for decision-making and timesharing for where the child lives.
Grandparents generally do not receive timesharing unless they are granted temporary custody or become legal guardians. In rare cases, if a grandparent is awarded temporary custody, they may exercise decision-making authority and have physical care of the child.
Each case depends on specific facts and legal requirements.
What Steps Should You Take If You Are Being Denied Access?
If you are being denied time with your grandchild in Kissimmee, Florida, it is important to remain calm and avoid escalating conflict.
You may consider:
- Keeping records of your past involvement
- Saving messages that show a denial of contact
- Avoiding arguments with the parents
- Continuing to act in the child’s best interests
- Consulting with a Kissimmee grandparents’ rights lawyer before filing anything
Taking thoughtful and measured steps can strengthen your position if court action becomes necessary.
Contact Our Kissimmee Grandparents’ Rights Attorneys for a Free Consultation Today
Losing contact with a grandchild can be heartbreaking. While Florida law sets strict limits on grandparents’ rights, there are situations where legal action may be possible.
If you live in Kissimmee, FL, and believe your grandchild’s well-being may be at risk or that you qualify under Florida law to seek visitation or temporary custody, Lebron Law, PLLC, is ready to help. We understand how sensitive these cases are and provide compassionate, informed guidance.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Kissimmee grandparents’ rights lawyer. We will review your situation, explain your options, and help you determine the best path forward for you and your grandchild.
