A Grandparents right to contact.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 29, 2009 -- The Children Act does not give Grandparents an automatic right to contact with Grandchildren - this automatic right is only given to those with parental responsibility which is usually the mother and/or father. If all other avenues have been exhausted, Grandparents who are being denied contact with their Grandchildren must apply to the courts to be given permission, otherwise know as leave, to apply for a contact order.

Although grandparents do not have an automatic right to contact with their grandchildren, if the direct approach or attending mediation is unsuccessful, family courts do recognise and will promote the invaluable role that grandparents have to play in their grandchildrens lives - as long as they feel it is in the best interest of the child. But applying to the courts to be given permission to apply can be a lengthy process and is essential that Grandparents are receiving good legal advice throughout because they will need to persuade the court that they have a meaningful and ongoing relationship with their grandchildren which significantly benefits their lives.

When applying for permission the courts will consider the following:

- The applicant’s connection with the child
- The nature of the application for contact
- Whether the application might be potentially harmful to the child’s well-being in any way

If Grandparents are successful, it is only then that they can then apply for a Contact Order through the court. If one, or both parents raise objections they are likely to have to attend a full hearing in which both parties can put forward their evidence.

Stephen Sowden, Grandparents Rights Specialist at the firm said, 'The court will always consider all the child’s circumstances and must only make an order where they consider it better for the child than making no order at all. For example, they might have to weigh up whether a Grandparents continuing contact with the child might have a negative impact on the rest of the family relationships.'

Taking good legal advice early on will ensure that you are taking all the steps you can to move your case forward. If you are worried about losing contact with your granchildren, it is essential that you obtain good legal advice as soon as possible. At Hartnell Chanot & Partners we have successfully helped many Grandparents resolve disputes amicably - please call us on 01392 421777 or email stephen@hartnell.co.uk.

Our website Just Grandparents http://www.hartnellchanot.co.uk/just-grandparents/ offers support and guidance for any grandparent worried about their rights.

About Hartnell Chanot & Partners

Award winning Hartnell Chanot & Partners is one of the largest specialist family law practices in the UK. The firm provides specialist legal advice to people affected by a family breakdown, divorce or separation and is recognised as a leading firm in this area by independent sources. Its website www.hartnellchanot.co.uk contains a vast amount of freely available information to help families across the UK and Internationally deal with the numerous issues arising from a divorce, separation or family dispute.

More information can be found online at http://www.hartnellchanot.co.uk/just-grandparents

Access     contact     divorce     grand-parenting     grandparent     grandparents rights     lawyer     legal rights     solicitor