A Lifeline for Grandchildren: Grandparents and Texas Custody Laws
When family dynamics shift dramatically, grandparents often step in to provide a crucial role of stability and care for their grandchildren. In Texas, specific circumstances allow grandparents to seek legal custody, highlighting their importance in ensuring a child’s best interests.
One primary reason for filing for custody is if the child’s current living environment is unfit due to physical abuse, neglect, or parental addiction. Texas courts prioritize the child’s safety, and evidence of an unsafe environment can lead to grandparents being granted custody.
Grandparents may also seek custody if the biological parents are incapacitated due to illness, disability, or death. In these cases, courts often view grandparents as preferable caregivers, helping maintain the child’s welfare and continuity in family relationships.
Filing for custody is a legal process fraught with challenges and intricacies. Grandparents seeking custody must demonstrate that their home is the best environment for the child’s development and well-being, as well as that the parents are unfit in some legally relevant manner. Therefore, it’s imperative for grandparents to seek knowledgeable and experienced legal representation to navigate these waters effectively.
Why ONDA?
Orsinger, Nelson, Downing, Anderson, LLP is one of the largest family law firms in the state. The practice of family law is not just a profession, but a deeply held vocation. Every ONDA partner is Board Certified in Family Law by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
