Pennsylvania Courts recognize grandparents and great-grandparents of children may be entitled to a form of physical or legal custody of their grandchildren. In cases where the parent of a child is deceased, or the parents of the child have been separated for a period of at least six (6) months and have commensed a proceeding to dissolve their marriage or when the child has, for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months, resided with the grandparent or great-grandparent, and is subsequently removed from the home by the parent, a grandparent has standing to seek partial physical custody of their grandchild.

In determining an appropriate custody schedule for the child, the Court shall consider various factors, including the amount of personal contact between the child and the grandparent, whether a separate grandparent schedule would interfere with the parent child relationship and therefore is in the best interest of the of the grandchild to continue a relationship through a custody order. We understand the questions and concerns of grandparents facing the challenges involved with parents who are deceased or separate and the former grandparent relationship with their grandchild is severed or limited by the conflicts of parents in divorce.

If you are a grandparent who wishes to remain involved in their grandchildren's lives, Jill Trayer can help you sort out the unique issues of preserving your rights as a grandparent as it pertains to your grandchild or grandchildren.