Grandparents Rights In Fort Lauderdale: What To Do If You Suspect Your Grandchildren Are In Danger
Grandparents and grandchildren share a special bond. As they frequently spend significant amounts of time together, grandparents may be the first to spot subtle changes in their appearance, behavior, or personality, which could indicate serious underlying issues.
Whether the situation between the parents involves domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, criminal behavior, or other problems, it could put your grandchild’s health and safety at risk. For Fort Lauderdale family lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto, children come first. Find out about your rights as a grandparent in Florida and what you can do if you suspect your grandchildren are in danger.
What Rights Do Grandparents Have In Florida?
When families experience problems, it can be hard on everyone involved. Despite forming close and loving relationships with their grandchildren, grandparents have little rights in Florida child time-sharing arrangements.
Under the Florida Statutes, parents have the right to determine who their children will and will not spend time with. They can choose to allow little or no interaction with grandparents and do not need to specify a reason. However, there are situations where a grandparent may be able to petition the court for visitation. These include:
- If the child’s parents are missing, deceased, or in a persistent vegetative state;
- If one parent is missing, deceased, or in a vegetative state, and the other is convicted of a felony criminal offense;
- If the child’s parents are found unfit by the court due to abuse, neglect, or other factors.
In determining whether a child’s parents are unfit, the Broward County Family Court will consider the type of home environment provided, whether the child’s basic needs are met, whether the parents are abusive toward the child or each other, or are otherwise engaging in behavior that could put them at risk.
How To Protect Grandchildren In Fort Lauderdale Family Law Cases
No grandparent should have to stand by and watch as their grandchildren suffer due to abuse, negligence, or other bad behavior on the part of their parents. According to the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, grandparents are listed as primary caregivers for close to 350,000 children in our area. If you have reason to believe your grandchild’s parents are unfit or otherwise putting them at risk, follow these steps:
- Document behaviors you feel endanger your grandchild;
- Keep a journal with details from each visit;
- Gather evidence, such as texts or emails from the parents;
- Follow any court orders in place and avoid confronting the parent in front of the child;
- Notify law enforcement if you suspect your grandchild is in immediate danger.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Family Lawyer Today
At the law office of Vanessa L. Prieto, children come first. If you are a grandparent and suspect your grandchild is at risk, we can advise you on your rights and take the legal actions needed. Call or contact our Fort Lauderdale family lawyer online and request a consultation today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0752/0752.html#:~:text=752.001%20Definitions.,visitation%20with%20a%20minor%20child.
browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family
cscbroward.org/categories/family-resources/who-takes-care-of-the-little-ones/
