Wake Family Law

Raleigh Divorce Lawyers - Raleigh Family Lawyers

Schilawski O’Shaughnessy Grace King & Mauney, PLLC

Raleigh, North Carolina
(919) 787-4040

Schedule a Consultation
  • Home
  • Divorce & Financial Issues
    • Annulment vs Divorce in NC
    • Separation Agreement
    • Equitable Distribution
    • Spousal Support
  • Children
    • Child Custody
    • Child Support
    • Termination of Parental Rights
    • Grandparents’ Rights
    • Adoption
    • Assisted Reproduction Law
  • Other Family Law Matters
    • Marital Agreements
    • Appeals
    • Domestic Violence
    • LGBTQIA+ Families
    • Marital Torts
  • Professional Services
    • Arbitration
    • Mediation
    • Parent Coordination
  • About WFLG
    • Scheduling A Consultation
    • News
    • Our Support Team
  • Our Attorneys
    • Michael F. Schilawski
    • Helen M. O’Shaughnessy
    • Nancy L. Grace
    • Katie Hardersen King
    • Justin L. Mauney
    • Kelley W. Cash
    • Rachel Beard
    • Melanie C. Phillips
    • Zach Underwood
    • Carly G. Baker
    • Jake W. Terrell
    • Norieh Brittain
  • Contact
    • Make secure payment
    • Send secure documents
You are here: Home / Children / Grandparents’ Rights

Grandparents’ Rights

grandparents rights in North Carolina

 

In some cases, grandparents may need to seek legal assistance to secure their right to visitation or changes in a family’s circumstances may necessitate seeking custody or adoption of the grandchild/grandchildren by the grandparents.

 

Grandparents’ Rights in North Carolina

Previously, the right to visitation only applied to a child’s parents. Today, however, there are laws in place that govern the visitation and custody rights of grandparents in NC.

In North Carolina, grandparents can request visitation with a grandchild in connection with an existing custody suit when the family unit of the grandchild is no longer “intact” and has been disrupted in some way. North Carolina has a broad definition of an “intact family,” making grandparent visitation suits challenging. Grandparents may request to “intervene” in the parents’ custody lawsuit and request visitation with the grandchild. The court will then determine whether it is in the child’s best interests to include grandparent visitation in a custody order.

Additionally, grandparents (like any third party where a substantial relationship exists with a child) may bring an independent lawsuit to request custody of a grandchild when the parents of the child are unfit or have otherwise acted contrary to their protected status as the child’s parents.

North Carolina law also provides rights to grandparents whose grandchild has been adopted by a relative or adopted by a stepparent.

 

Adoption by Grandparents in North Carolina

Grandparents may have the option to file a petition to adopt their grandchild and often do so when the grandchild is anticipated to be in their care long term. The parental rights of the child’s parents must be resolved either by the parent(s) consenting to the adoption, the court terminating the parent(s)’ parental rights, or, in some circumstances, the court determining a parent’s consent to the adoption is not necessary.  You should consult an attorney to assist you in obtaining the necessary consents or filing a petition for the termination of parental rights.

In an adoption by a grandparent, there is generally no requirement for a pre-placement assessment (previously called a homestudy), but there must be a post-placement assessment and report to the court, typically done by the county Division of Social Services or a private adoption agency, to recommend that the adoption be finalized.

 

For more information on grandparent rights and adoption by grandparents, contact WFLG for a consultation. Our Raleigh North Carolina attorneys can answer your questions and evaluate your case.

We Can Help.

  • Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please no solicitations or employment inquiries via this form.

    We do not offer free initial consultations.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

News

  • How To File For Child Support
  • Announcement: Zach Underwood Joins Wake Family Law Group
  • What is Domestic Violence and How to Stop It
  • Katie H. King Selected To Chair Family Law Section of NC Bar Association
  • Tips for Advocates in Custody Cases Involving LGBTQIA+ Children

Raleigh Divorce Lawyer

Wake Family Law Group

Schilawski O’Shaughnessy Grace King & Mauney, PLLC

4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave, Suite 360
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609

(919) 787-4040
(919) 787-4811

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
secure pay Wake Family Law Group
  • About Wake Family Law Group
  • Our Attorneys
  • Separation and Divorce Process
  • FAQs
  • Child Support Calculator
  • Professional Services
  • Other Resources
  • News
Our WFLG associates, Rachel Beard, Carly Baker, Kelley Cash, and Melanie Phillips. March 2022 ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Happy birthday to WFLG partner, Justin Mauney! You can read more about Justin at:https://wakefamilylawgroup.com/family-law-divorce-attorneys/justin-l-mauney/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Work anniversaries: March is 1 year since paralegals Caitlin Tatum and Austin Hiskes joined our firm! Thanks for all your hard work and everything you do for WFLG! We are so lucky to have you as part of our work family. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

WFLG is pleased to announce that Norieh Brittain has joined the firm as an associate attorney.Norieh graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University School of Law where she received much recognition for her achievements in Moot Court. Norieh practiced with another local family law firm before joining our firm. Norieh is a second career lawyer, having had a career in the corporate world prior to law school, and she is a mother to three young children. As a wife and mother, Norieh understands the complexities that come with issues that arise in family law. Her passion is to not only protect her clients and their interests but to represent them fiercely.She is also fluent in the Farsi/Persian language and is one of the only family law attorneys in the state to have that special skill. Welcome to WFLG, Norieh! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

When you feel like you must vent about your ex/your divorce/custody problems/etc. on Facebook, please don’t. Your lawyer will thank you. #wflg#northhillsdivorce ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Oh hi there! 🤩🌇 Photo by: Danny Clarke Photography ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

WFLG attorneys Rachel Beard and Carly Baker are volunteering today at #4ALLNCBF, the North Carolina Bar Foundation Statewide Service Day. #4ALL provides free legal answers to callers across the state today. #ncba #ncbfoundation #probono #volunteer #attorney ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Celebrating the WCPSS performing arts and the 40th anniversary of Pieces of Gold. #wcpss #unitedartscouncilofraleigh#piecesofgold#wflg#northhillsdivorce ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

#Arbitration in family law cases is a critical tool in efficiently and privately resolving disputes when the parties cannot reach their own settlement. @Ketan Soni and @Nancy Grace recorded this program as part of the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) Expert Series CLE. Learn more here:https://lnkd.in/g5-DGMXt?#law #lawtech #divorce #divorcelawyer #familylaw #familylawyer #court #northcarolina #disputeresolution ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Wishing a very happy milestone birthday to WFLG founding partner, Helen O’Shaughnessy!You can read more about Helen at: https://wakefamilylawgroup.com/family-law-divorce-attorneys/helen-m-oshaughnessy/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

So proud to support our Wake County Public schools! #thankyouteachers #northhillsdivorce#wflgThank you Wake Family Law Group for being a 2022-2023 Pleasant Union Elementary School Gold Level sponsor. We appreciate your support! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Rest well, Odis Stephenson. You were a bright light to so many of us lawyers in the courthouse—always encouraging, always kind. Thank you for sharing your stories about your family with us (we know your reunion with your beloved Lizzie must have been joyous). Thank you for reminding us that FAMILY is at the center of what we do at the courthouse and why we do it. You were a treasure to this community and a credit to the profession you so proudly served. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

WFLG on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

  • Site Map
  • Disclaimer

Law Firm Web Design by Killer Creative Group