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Pennsylvania Grandparent Visitation

Pennsylvania divorce courts don't automatically grant visitation rights for grandparents, but Pennsylvania divorce law does allow grandparents to petition for child visitation.

If an unmarried child has resided with his or her grandparents for a year or more but is then removed from the home by his or her parents, the grandparents can petition for partial child custody or child visitation rights. When determining visitation rights for grandparents, the Pennsylvania divorce court will apply the best interest of the child standard to decide if granting child visitation will interfere with the parent-child relationship.

If a grandparent petitions for physical child custody and legal child custody, the Pennsylvania divorce court will use the best interest standard and may award child custody if the grandparent:

  • Has genuine care and concern for the child
  • Had a relationship with the child with the consent of a parent of the child or pursuant to an order of the court
  • Assumed the responsibilities for a child:
    • And role of a parent for one year, providing physical, emotional and social needs for the child
    • Who has been determined to be a dependent
    • Who is substantially at risk due to domestic violence, neglect, drug abuse or mental illness

Learn more about visitation rights for grandparents by speaking with a local Pennsylvania divorce attorney to get advice on your child visitation case. Call 877-349-1310 or fill out a Pennsylvania divorce case review to find out more about protecting your relationship with your child or grandchild. If you child custody case doesn't involve divorce, you can still find a local Pennsylvania lawyer who is familiar with family law to get answers to your child custody and child visitation questions.

The above synopsis of Pennsylvania divorce laws is by no means all-inclusive and has been adapted from applicable state laws. These laws may have changed since our last update and there may be additional laws that apply in your situation. For the latest information on these divorce laws, please contact a local Pennsylvania divorce lawyer in your area.

Pennsylvania divorce laws were last updated April 2009.

Note: Keep in mind that all divorce laws are complex. If you need legal divorce advice or want to fully understand how these laws affect you, please speak with a local divorce attorney.

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