East Brunswick, Middlesex County Visitation Lawyer Frank Tournour

When parents separate or divorce, often relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren can suffer.  In New Jersey, grandparents may file for visitation rights. In doing so, the grandparent must show why the children would benefit from spending time with him or her, and that the children’s relationship with their parents would not suffer as a result. If you are a grandparent in New Jersey and wish to file for visitation rights, East Brunswick, Middlesex County visitation lawyer Frank Tournour can guide you through the steps involved in this process and help protect the best interests of your grandchildren.

Grandparents' Visitation Rights in New Jersey

In the state of New Jersey, the rights of grandparents to visit with their grandchildren are addressed by New Jersey's Grandparents' Visitation Statute, N.J.S.A. 9:27.1, which specifies that a grandparent or any sibling of a child residing within the state may apply for visitation rights. In such cases, the burden of proof showing that granting visitation is in the best interests of the child, rests with the grandparent applying for visitation.  Additionally, the following eight factors must be considered by the court in making a determination of an application for grandparents' visitation:

• The relationship between the child and the grandparent
• The relationship between each of the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing and the grandparent
• The time that has elapsed since the child last had contact with the grandparent
• The effect that such visitation will have on the relationship between the child and the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing
• If the parents are divorced or separated, any time sharing or child custody arrangements that exist between the parents with regard to the child
• The good faith of the grandparent filing the application
• Any history of neglect or sexual, emotional, or physical abuse by the grandparent making the application
• Any other factors relevant to the best interest of the child

Contact an East Brunswick, Middlesex County Visitation Lawyer

If you have questions about grandparents' visitation, divorce, or child support issues, schedule an appointment with an East Brunswick, Middlesex County visitation lawyer at the Law Office of Frank E. Tournour today.  Our firm will make every effort to ensure your rights are protected and to obtain favorable results in your case.