Columbia Family Divorce Law Blog

Given the strong bond that many grandparents in Federal Way establish with their grandchildren, one might assume that the law recognizes their right have to continued access to their grandchildren should situational changes restrict it. After all, one might argue that continuing a relationship with a grandparent would certainly be in a child’s best interests.

In an ideal situation, a child’s parents are able to provide a loving environment and proper care. Unfortunately, there are times when this is not possible and grandparents may want to know their options for helping out.

Please review my previous AVVO Legal Guides on Interstate Custody and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA; in Washington State the statute is RCW 26.26). The UCCJEA provides that when a state in the US has previously entered a child custody determination, that state will continue to exercise jurisdiction until it waives or declines jurisdiction.

In this legal guide, the following topics are covered: independent custody investigations; nonparental custody when the parents are unfit; nonparental custody when the parents are not unfit; the best interests of the child; termination of parental rights; restrictions on visitation by the biological parents; domestic violence; and the definition of “parenting functions.”