Can Fort Lauderdale Grandparents Request Child Time-Sharing Rights?

Grandparents often play a special role in a child’s life. When the parents go through a breakup or file for a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, it can put those relationships at risk.

Unfortunately, Florida’s rules on grandparent time-sharing are among the most restrictive in the country. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer explains what the law allows and options that may be available.

Fort Lauderdale Grandparent Time-Sharing: Your Rights Under Florida Law

Grandchildren and grandparents share a special bond. When family problems happen that disrupt their relationship, it can be heartbreaking for everyone involved.

Florida courts place a high value on parental rights, and the legal history around grandparent visitation reflects that. Under Section 752.11 of the Florida Statutes, grandparents can petition a court to be included in child time-sharing only under very specific and narrow circumstances. These include:

• When both parents are missing, deceased, or incapacitated.
• When one of the parents meets that criteria, and the other is convicted of criminal behavior that poses a substantial threat to the child.
• If the state removes the child from the parents’ home due to accusations of abuse or neglect.
• When the parents intentionally abandoned the child.

Fort Lauderdale grandparents generally cannot obtain court-ordered time-sharing over the objection of a fit parent. However, while the legal threshold is high, it is not the only avenue available in every situation.

Legal Options Available for Fort Lauderdale Grandparents

Even if you don’t have legal standing to request child time-sharing through the Broward County Family Court, there are still practical steps Fort Lauderdale grandparents can take to protect and preserve their relationship with a grandchild. These include:

• A cooperative parent may voluntarily agree to include grandparents in a parenting plan.
• Mediation is an option and provides a private setting where parents and grandparents can reach agreements without court intervention.
• Get legal help to determine your rights under Section 751 of the Florida Statutes (it allows extended family to seek temporary custody when a parent is unable to care for the child).
• Document your existing relationship with the grandchild, including regular contact, caregiving history, and involvement in their daily life.

Before taking any action, contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing lawyer first to discuss the options in your particular case. Each of these situations is different, and the best approach depends on the specific factors involved.

Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer Today

For Fort Lauderdale grandparents, being denied access to grandchildren can be heartbreaking. It also deprives the child of what would otherwise be a warm and loving relationship. If you are facing this situation, don’t try to navigate it alone. Get the caring support and professional legal representation you need at Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices.

We help Broward County grandparents preserve cherished relationships and protect their grandchildren when problems or disputes with the parents happen. Call or contact us online to request a consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale family lawyer today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0752/Sections/0752.011.html

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0751/0751.html