As it concerns grandparent rights to visit their grandchildren, the courts generally act on the presumption that the parent is denying grandparent visitation because it is in the best interests of the child. Wisconsin is considered a “permissive” state — the grandparents bear the burden of proof and must prove that grandparent visitation is in the best interest of the child, that a lack of visitation is harmful to the child or that the parents are unfit to make such a decision.
Because of this burden of proof and the complexity of the laws concerning grandparents rights, it is essential that grandparents seeking visitation rights consult an attorney. The family law attorneys at Tlusty, Kennedy & Dirks, S.C. can help grandparents seeking visitation rights, by exploring the following options:
- In cases of divorce, seeking reasonable grandparent visitation rights for grandparents who have maintained a parent-child relationship with a child
- In cases in which the parents are unmarried, seeking grandparent visitation based on an established relationship with the child, or attempts to establish a relationship in cases where the custodial parent has prevented it
- Seeking grandparent visitation in the event of the death of one or both parents
- Seeking grandparent visitation rights when a child has been adopted by a stepparent or other relative
Learn more about your rights as a grandparent. To schedule an appointment with our family law attorneys, please fill out the form below or call 715-359-3188
