At Dunham & Ingram LLC, we believe that children are raised best when they are surrounded by their family members. Proper development of self-esteem, stability and identity are deeply interconnected with cooperative community ties within the family. If you are a grandparent seeking to establish visitation rights with your grandchild, contact our family law attorney. We would be proud to offer you the compassionate legal support and highly effective guidance that you require in order to achieve your goals. Although your rights are more vulnerable, you do have limited visitation rights to your grandchild under law. However, if the parents of your grandchild are living and married, you do not have the right to see your grandchild. A parent’s decision to keep his or her child away from a grandparent is generally validated by law. If the parents are divorced, the child is in non-parent custody, the parents are separated, or one of the parents has died, you have the right to remain in contact with your grandchild. Let us help you take advantage of your rights!
Do You Want To Establish
Grandparents’ Rights?
Grandparent’s play a significant role in the lives and upbringing of their grandchildren. Our family lawyer is passionate about protecting that role.
Contact Us TodayGrandparents’ Rights Attorney
Helping Grandparents Maintain Family Ties: (352) 261-5451
When Can I Request Visitation Or Custody?
It is important to understand that the court will only grant visitation rights to a grandparent if he or she had a prior bond with the grandchild. State court understands that the continuation of this bond is within the best interests of the child.
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When A Parent Passed Away
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When A Stepparent Has Adopted The Grandchild
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When The Grandchild Is No Longer Living With Either Parent
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When One Parent Has Been Sent To Jail, Prison Or Institutionalized
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When The Parents Are Not Married To One Another
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When A Divorce Or Other Proceeding Is Pending
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When One Of The Parents Has Not Been Located For One Month
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When The Parents Are Married But Separated On An Indefinite Basis
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When One Of The Parents Applies With The Grandparents
Frequently Asked Questions
We Have The Answers That You Need
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Questions
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When Can I Sue For Visitation Rights?
Answer
You are entitled to sue for visitation rights under the following circumstances: the parents of your grandchild no longer live together, one of the parents of your grandchild has been missing for more than 30 days, your grandchild does not want to live with his or her biological parents, the step-parent of your grandchild has adopted him or her.
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Can Court Ordered Visitation Be Modified Or Terminated?
Answer
Yes, a court ordered grandparent visitation order can be modified or terminated. However, the party seeking to terminate or modify the visitation order must file a Motion to Modify in District Court. In addition, if the original grandparent visitation agreement was pursuant to an Agreed Visitation Order, the party seeking to modify or terminate the agreements will be required to prove the change of circumstances. In addition, the party seeking to modify or terminate must show that this action is within the best interests of the child.
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As A Grandparent, Can I Be The Legal Guardian?
Answer
A grandparent can be the legal guardian of his or her grandchild. In fact, guardianship may be necessary for a number of reasons including the following: the parent’s health, the parent’s military duty (requiring him or her to leave the country) or parental unfitness. Guardianship can be granted with our without the agreement of the parent(s). If granted despite the objection of the parent(s), the court determined it would be within the best interest of the child to grant guardianship to the child’s grandparent(s).
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Andy Ingram
Attorney
A native of Central Florida, Andy Ingram is committed to providing every single one of his clients with top-notch representation. Prior to graduating high school, he earned his associate’s college degree. Then, in just three short years, he graduated with two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Florida. In 2005, he graduated from University of Florida's Levin College of Law and became a licensed attorney that very same year.
Shortly after his time as a public defender, Mr. Ingram focused his efforts on employment and labor law for many years. This unique experience enabled him to develop his skill set in discovery strategy and motion practice. He then worked at the Alachua County Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, combining his experience in civil practice and criminal defense. He is intimately familiar with both civil and criminal trial practice at the federal and state levels and has extensive federal trial experience.
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Christopher L. Dunham
Attorney
As an Ocala native, Christopher Dunham is committed to providing individuals with high-quality legal representation. He attended Florida State University College of Law, where he earned his law degree, and then became a licensed attorney in 2007. Mr. Dunham started his career in law by working under State Attorney Brad King for the Fifth Judicial Circuit as a prosecutor. While he was there, he successfully handled 1,000s of felony and misdemeanor cases. Throughout his time prosecuting individuals, Mr. Dunham tried many cases for Florida, including numerous DUI trials.
Even though Mr. Dunham is currently focused on family law and criminal defense cases, he, above all, considers himself a trial lawyer. He firmly believes that the real work of a lawyer is not conducted behind a desk but, rather, in the courtroom. As a result of this belief, he chooses his cases based on his clients’ need for proven and strong trial strategy, instead of the circumstances and laws involved.
Why Dunham & Ingram LLC?
We Offer a Higher Level of Advocacy
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We have extensive experience with all types of cases.
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We are committed to protecting your rights and interests.
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We will always communicate clearly with you.
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We offer a free, no-risk consultation to new clients.