Divorce does not just break up a mother, father, and children; it can also have a significant impact on extended family members as well. Grandparents who have been involved in the lives of their grandchildren on a regular basis may see them seldom following a divorce. Some grandparents even ask for visitation rights or, in rare cases, parental rights.
Every situation is different, so the outcome is always tailored to each unique family. Judges in family court have one goal when it comes to anything to do with children: whether something is in the child’s best interests. Will what is being asked by a parent or grandparent benefit the child in some way? Will the child suffer harm if the request is denied?
Illinois courts also believe that it is in a child’s best interest to have regular interactions with both parents. Terminating a parent’s rights in favor of a grandparent would rarely be considered because, under most circumstances, such a move would not be in the child’s best interests. If you find yourself in a situation where a grandparent is seeking parental rights for your child, or you are the grandparent seeking those rights, speaking to an experienced Wheaton, IL family law attorney can be beneficial.