Southern Minnesota Grandparent Rights Attorney

Your Guide to Grandparent Rights in Minnesota

There are many myths and misconceptions about grandparents’ rights in Minnesota. At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., we are committed to providing people with the tools, legal knowledge, and resources that they need to do what is right for themselves and their loved ones. Whether you seek custody or have any other family legal issues, here are some of the most important things to understand about grandparent rights in Southern Minnesota:

• Grandparent Rights are Far Less Strong than Parental Rights: We are committed to providing our clients with an accurate, factual understanding of the law—not false hope or unreasonable expectations. As a starting point, it is crucial that grandparents understand that their rights are secondary to the rights of the child’s parent(s). Parental rights are far stronger and far more comprehensive than grandparents’ rights.

• Grandparents May Be Entitled to Visitation Time (in Certain Circumstances): In Minnesota, a grandparent who is not able to work out a solution with the parents of the child can seek court-ordered grandparent visitation time. However, not every grandparent in the state is eligible to seek court-protected visitation. A grandparent may be able to petition for legal visitation rights of a grandchild in Minnesota if: 1) Their child is one of the grandchild’s parents and that parent has passed away, 2) The grandchild was adopted by a stepparent and the grandparent’s child no longer has parental rights, and 3) The grandchild lived with the grandparent for a minimum of 12 months before being taken back by the parent.

• Grandparent Visitation Rights May Be Asserted in Divorce or Separation: If the parents of the child have gotten or are getting a divorce or if they have separated and been subject to a custody proceeding, the child’s grandparents may be entitled to assert visitation rights on the basis of previous legal proceedings. If you have any specific questions about asserting child visitation in this context, our Southern Minnesota grandparent visitation lawyers can help.

• Best Interests of the Child Standard for Grandparent Rights: Even if a grandparent is allowed to file for visitation rights in Minnesota, that does not guarantee that they will be awarded visitation by the court. These cases are handled under the best interests of the child standard. To secure legally protected visitation rights for a grandchild in any specific case, a grandparent must present a well-supported, compelling petition that shows that granting them visitation rights is in the best interests of their grandchild.

With grandparent cases in Minnesota, it is best to try to find an amicable solution. Our Mankato & Rochester family lawyers put a focus on helping our clients find low-conflict answers in grandparent rights cases when possible. At the same time, our trial-tested Southern Minnesota grandparents’ rights attorneys are always ready to take legal action to protect you and your family.

We Handle the Full Range of Grandparent Rights Cases in Southern Minnesota

A grandparent plays an important role, only second to the parent child relationship, in a child’s development. In Minnesota, the law largely presumes that a child’s time with their grandparents will be facilitated by their parents. Of course, the reality is not always so simple. At Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office, we help clients with a full spectrum of cases involving grandparents in Southern Minnesota. Our family law team understands the challenges that grandparents face—especially if there is a conflict with the child’s parents. A grandparent can feel helpless. Examples of grandparents’ rights cases we handle include:

• Unfit Parent(s): If a child’s parent or parents are unfit, a grandparent may need to take action in order to protect the health, safety, and well-being of their grandchild. Our Southern Minnesota grandparents’ rights lawyer can help you with an unfit parent case.

• Guaranteed Visitation Time: A grandparent may want to see legally protected visitation time with their grandchild. In Minnesota, it is generally best for grandparents to try to work with the child’s parents to get visitation time through an amicable agreement. Though, it is sometimes possible for a grandparent to get guaranteed visitation time with a grandchild.

• Child Custody of a Grandchild: Custody battles are not always pretty, and if the parents of the child are deceased or one parent or the other have had their rights terminated, then the grandparents may be in the best position to get custody of the grandchild. Our Southern Minnesota family law attorneys are prepared to represent grandparents in all manner of custody proceedings.

How Our Southern Minnesota Attorneys Can Help

Cases involving the rights of a grandparent can be complicated. At Kohlmeyer Hagen, we are qualified to represent clients in all types of cases involving grandparents. Our family law team is ready to take proactive and pragmatic action to solve problems and help you secure the outcome that works best for your family. Specifically, our Southern Minnesota grandparent rights lawyers will:

• Listen to your story and answer questions about grandparent rights in Minnesota; 
• Gather, organize, and prepare the evidence needed to support your case; 
• Represent you in any settlement discussions with your family members; and
• Devise a personalized strategy focused on getting the best result for you and your family. 

Call Our Southern Minnesota Lawyers Today!

At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our Southern Minnesota family law attorneys have the skills and experience to handle complex cases like grandparent custody cases. We are always focused on providing the best attorney client relationship possible. If you have any questions about your rights or your options, we can help. If you are seeking legal representation, give us a call now or connect with us online to set up a strictly confidential case review. We provide family law representation throughout Southern Minnesota, including in Blue Earth County, Le Sueur County, Nicollet County, and Olmsted County.