Grandparents play an important and irreplaceable role in most children’s lives. But it may surprise many to know that you don't have an automatic right to see your grandchildren when your child separates from or divorces their ex-partner.

In practice though, the family court does recognise the importance and benefits of children spending time with their grandparents – and there is a legal process you can follow to maintain a relationship with them.

The court will usually consider that it’s in your grandchild’s best interests to spend time with their extended family following a divorce or separation – unless there is good reason to prevent this. In most situations the time available for children to spend with their grandparents will be limited, but that does not mean that you can’t secure access to your grandchildren.

We specialise in helping grandparents get access to their grandchildren, and with decades of experience as one of the UK's leading family law firms, you can be sure you'll have top experts on your side. Our experienced team can help you with:

Securing access to your grandchildren where contact has been denied or restricted following separation
Getting access to your grandchildren, even when your child does not have access
Becoming a legal guardian of a grandchild, or adopting them
Challenging a decision to relocate your grandchildren, where your child was not involved in the decision or has died

It is now compulsory in grandparents’ rights disputes for you to try and reach an agreement through mediation or other out of court negotiation, before applying to the court. Our solicitors are trained negotiators, and can help you through the process, whichever route you need to take.

We take a firm, no-nonsense approach to sorting out arrangements for grandchildren. We are often instructed late in the day by worried grandparents who have received bad advice or whose corner has not been fought. We will be honest with you about your chances of success from the start, and will guide you through the process step by step.

To find out more about how our solicitors could help you get access to your grandchildren, please call 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

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Grandparents' Rights - More Information

- Do You Accept Legal Aid Cases?
- Legal aid is no longer available to help parents in private disputes over child arrangements, except in certain circumstances, such as certain cases of domestic violence. Unfortunately we can’t accept legal aid cases, but if we believe that your circumstances might entitle you to receive legal aid, we will refer you to a firm that can help you. You may also be able to find a suitable firm on the government’s website.
- How Much Does It Cost?
- You may have to go to court if you can’t come to an agreement with your partner, but you are both required to try and reach an agreement over the arrangements for your children's care and financial arrangements before taking the case to court.
  
  We can help you and your partner try to reach an agreement, if necessary with the use of our trained mediators, who can help you and your partner discuss your situation in a transparent and constructive way. We can also provide you with access to family therapists and counselling services for extra support.
  
  Out-of-court agreements are typically cheaper and quicker than going to court, which can make them less stressful for all involved - an important consideration where children are concerned.
  
  If none of the out-of-court processes work, we will ensure you have the best legal representation in court. Our solicitors will be open and honest about the likely outcome, and will fight to protect your best interests. We will ensure you are well prepared for any appearances, and will be at your side throughout.
  
  As one of the UK's leading family law firms, our solicitors have dealt with many different types of cases, so no matter how complicated your situation is, we can offer you clear advice that comes from years of experience.
  
  For advice or a consultation on your case, call us 0345 604 4911 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.