For grandparents

Grandparents' rights

An honest answer first: whether you have a case for visitation or care, and the kindest way forward if you don't.

Most grandparents call us after a loss: a son or daughter has died, a divorce has cut off contact, or a new spouse wants a clean start. Others are already raising their grandchildren and need legal footing for school and medical care. Washington gives grandparents a path to court only in narrow situations, because the law respects a fit parent's decisions. So we start with a written review of whether you have standing, before anyone spends money on a lawsuit.

Who usually calls us about this

Grandparents who lost contact

Visits stopped after a death, a divorce or a family conflict.

Grandparents raising grandchildren

You need authority to enroll a child in school, see a doctor or keep them safe.

Other relatives and caregivers

Aunts, uncles and family friends who are already doing the parenting.

What we do

1 Write a plain-language standing review: do you likely qualify, and why or why not
2 Suggest gentler steps first, such as a letter or mediation, when they fit
3 File a visitation petition when the facts support it
4 Help caregivers seek guardianship of a minor or other legal authority
5 Keep the focus on the grandchild, not on blame

How Washington usually handles it

In general terms. Your facts, your county and recent changes in the law all matter, so ask us how this applies to you.

A fit parent's decisions about who sees their child get strong respect from the court.
Visitation for grandparents and other non-parents is possible only in narrow cases, usually where there is a strong existing relationship and the child would likely be harmed without contact.
When a grandparent is already the main caregiver, other legal tools such as guardianship may apply.
These rules are complex and fact-specific. We review your situation before recommending a filing.

What to bring

A timeline of your time with the grandchild: how often, for how long, and when it stopped
Any messages about visits being ended
Records showing care you provide, if you are raising the child
Any court papers from the parents' divorce or custody case

The honest part

Many grandparents do not qualify to bring a visitation case, and we will say so in writing. When that happens, we help you think through the next kindest step for your family.

We never promise a custody, parenting time or support outcome. Anyone who does is guessing.

An example of how this can go

Example outcome Did not go our client's way

Grandparents seeking visits after a death

Spokane County · About 6 months

Situation. After their son died, grandparents lost contact with his child. They wanted to file right away.

What happened. Our standing review said their case was weak, and they chose to file anyway. The court dismissed the petition, giving weight to the parent's decision. We had told them the odds in writing before filing.

Example outcomes are illustrations for this demo, based on common situations. Every family and every case is different. Past results do not predict or guarantee the result of any future case, and nothing here is legal advice. More example outcomes

Common questions

Do grandparents have visitation rights in Washington?

Only in limited situations. The law starts from respect for a fit parent's choices. Our standing review explains, in writing, whether your facts are likely to fit.

We're raising our grandchild already. What do we need?

Often some form of legal authority, such as a guardianship of a minor, so you can handle school and medical decisions. We can explain the options in one meeting.

All questions

Fee

$450 flat

Written standing review

Credited toward a filing if you go ahead.

All flat fees and hourly rates