Third-party visitation rights are an important part of the child custody process to be familiar with. Referred to as third-party visitation rights, nonparent visitation rights or sometimes grandparent visitation, parents and families facing child custody concerns should be familiar with all of the different types of child custody, including third-party child custody.

Third-party, or grandparent, visitation rights can include other family members as well. In addition to third-party visitation, third-party custody may also be possible in certain situations based on certain circumstances if it is in the best interests of the child. Third-party, or grandparent, visitation rights oftentimes come up when the child’s parents are divorced and the custodial parent may not want the grandparents in the child’s life. If the children would benefit from having their grandparents in their life, and the family law court determines the grandparent or third-party custody request would be in the best interests of the child, the third-party visitation request may be granted.

Factors the family law court may consider when determining if the third-party visitation request is in the best interests of the child include the child’s relationship with the nonparent; the relationship between the nonparent and the child’s parent or guardian; the last time the child interacted with the nonparent; the impact of the visitation request on the relationship between the child and parent; the impact of the third-party visitation on the time the child will have to spend with their biological parents or other family members; any history of abuse or neglect by the nonparent; and any other factor the family law court deems relevant.

Child custody can be serious concern for many families which can include for grandparents and other family members as well. As a result, understanding when and how third-party visitation may be granted can be beneficial information for families to have.