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Child custody

grandparent rights

Most courts give great deference to the parents of children in child custody matters, and grandparents are awarded custody of their grandchildren only under limited circumstances.

For example, if both parents are unfit to have custody of their children, or if both parents are deceased, or if one parent is deceased and the other is in prison, grandparents may petition the court for custody of their grandchildren.

And grandparent visitation rights vary from state to state, and are often conditioned on certain circumstances, such as when the child’s parents are divorced, separated, or deceased.

In Maryland, the law recognizes the primacy of parents' rights in child custody matters. However, under certain circumstances, grandparents may be awarded custody of their grandchildren. This typically occurs in situations where both parents are deemed unfit, both have passed away, or one is deceased and the other is incarcerated. Grandparents can petition the court for custody in such cases. As for visitation rights, Maryland law allows grandparents to seek visitation under specific conditions, such as when the child's parents are divorced, separated, or deceased. The court will consider the best interests of the child when making a determination on custody or visitation rights for grandparents. It's important to note that these rights are not automatic and the grandparents must demonstrate that their involvement is in the best interest of the child.

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Understanding Grandparent Visitation Laws and Custody Rights

While all 50 states have laws regarding grandparent visitation or child custody rights, the level of access grandparents can pursue varies depending on a number of factors.

Child custody

grandparent rights

As a LegalFix Member You Will Be an Important Client of Local Law Firms

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Maryland State Code

Maryland State Code

Child custody

grandparent rights

Articles