On behalf of The Law Offices of Mary Ann Beaty, PC posted in Family Law on Friday, August 14, 2015.

Family law is changing in Dallas from what it used to be in past generations. Today, grandparents are more and more often seeking custody and even adoption of their grandchildren. They find this becomes a necessary step when their grandchildren’s parents are unable to care for them, often due to drug addiction.

But the family law system is a challenging, confusing place for many Dallas residents. It’s particularly something with which residents in their fifties, sixties, seventies or older are unlikely to be prepared for on their own. Fortunately, the professionals at the Law Offices of Mary Ann Beaty, P.C. have experience assisting with this unique situation.

When grandparents have sought to become the legal guardians of their grandchildren, our firm has helped with the paperwork that the biological parents have needed to sign off on. In past cases, a voluntary relinquishment of parental rights has ended the parents’ rights to grandchildren in the eyes of the law, so the grandparents have been able to move ahead with adoption. This must be approved by a court, and the parents have to agree to it.

If there is some dispute over this, and the parents will not relinquish their rights voluntarily, you can attempt to terminate their rights through a lawsuit. Substance abuse or addiction is one common claim in such a suit. Violent behavior, a prison sentence or absence from a child’s life for other reasons are also factors in typical termination of parental rights lawsuits.

Of course, there are many different considerations in any grandparent adoption. Mary Ann Beaty has been addressing such concerns and resolving family legal issues for 35 years. Our firm’s knowledge may be able to help you navigate the system and put forth a strong case for your rights as grandparents, for the sake of your grandchildren.