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Serving Northampton, Lehigh & Monroe Counties
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Lehigh Valley Grandparents' Rights Attorneys

Updated · Pennsylvania lawReviewed by James Madsen, Esq. ·
Past-results notice: This page describes a prior matter for informational purposes. Every case depends on its own facts and law, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Multigenerational family gathered outdoors

Grandparent’s Rights Attorneys in Easton, Pennsylvania

Our team of dedicated attorneys, specializing in Grandparent's Rights, have a successful history of representing grandparents in custody cases across Northampton County and Lehigh County. Our experience includes litigating a custody matter against Northampton County Children & Youth Services to secure custody for grandparents.

Family Law Attorneys Understanding Unique Family Dynamics

As experienced Family Law Attorneys, we acknowledge the distinct dynamics of each family and the priceless value of every child. This sentiment is echoed by grandparents who are actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives. Circumstances may arise when grandparents intervene during a divorce, or when grandchildren might live with a grandparent due to various reasons. These can range from a parent’s unavoidable absence due to illness, military deployment, incarceration, or even death, to a temporary babysitting arrangement evolving into a full-time living situation.

Navigating Custody Requests

There are instances where parents might welcome a grandparent’s request for custody. However, in other scenarios, grandparents might need to resort to legal recourse to secure custody or visitation rights with their grandchildren. Our Easton, Pennsylvania based team is here to guide you through these complex legal processes.

Child in the foreground while two adults argue

When may Grandparent sue for Partial Custody or Visitation in Pennsylvania?

Even when not eligible for full custody, Grandparents may sure for visitation under Pa.C.S.A. 5325 in Pennsylvania under the following circumstances:

1. Parent Deceased

Our Easton Grandparents Rights Attorneys can help when one of the grandchild's parents are deceased.

When one of the grandchild's parents have died, the parents of the deceased parent may petition the custody court for visitation or partial custody of the grandchild.

2. Parents are Litigating Custody, and parents were married at some point

Our Lehigh Valley Grandparents Rights Lawyers can help when the grandchild's parents are going through a divorce or already divorced.

If the parents of the child were 1) married at some point and now divorced or divorcing, 2) now or previously litigated custody, 3) do not agree as to the rights of the Grandparent, and 4) Grandparents' involvement originally began with the consents of both parents, Grandparents may sue for visitation or partial custody in Family Court.

Northampton County Children & Youth Services had taken custody of our client's grandchildren and refused to release the children to her. In that matter, we brought a custody action involving Northampton County Children & Youth and obtained sole custody for our client

Awarded Sole Custody (Grandparents) — J.G. v. NorCo CYS, et al

Client, through a devastating accident, emotional poisoning of her son by paternal grandparents and the poor representation by previous attorneys, had lost all custody rights to her child. After a week long trial, client was awarded sole custody of her son after years with barely any contact.

Awarded Sole Custody — C.H. v. R.D.

Client, a service member, sought custody of his son and daughter after having only summer visitations. After a week long trial, Client was granted primary custody of his son and leave to relocate to Germany per his military service.

Relocation & Shared Custody Granted — A.K. v. T.K.

In another case, NorCo CYS had taken custody of our client's grandchildren and refused to release the children to her. We successfully sued Northampton County Children & Youth for child custody and were granted sole custody by the court.

Awarded Sole Custody (Grandparents) — C.M. v. NorCo CYS, et al

Childrens' mother thwarted Client's attempts to reunify with his two daughters at every turn. Through progressive litigation, we were able to obtain a child custody order granting Client 50/50 custody. The children's mother refused to abide by the order and was eventually incarcerated for interfering with a child custody order. Father, our client, was granted sole custody.

Awarded Sole Custody — J.W. v. A.C.

Children & Youth Services of Northampton County took custody of our client's grandchildren and refused to release the children to him. We successfully sued Northampton County CYS for child custody and were granted sole custody by the court.

Awarded Sole Custody (Grandparents) — R.P. v. NorCo CYS, et al

Client/Mother had primary custody of children and sought to relocate for better employment opportunities and reduced cost of living. Father contested the relocation but relocation was eventually granted after a trial.

Relocation Granted — M.B. v. J.B.

When Grandparent may sue for Full Child Custody in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a Grandparent may sue for full custody under 23 Pa.C.S.A. 5324 when:

1. Dependent Child

Our Bethlehem Grandparents' Rights Attorneys can help if Children & Youth is involved with the grandchildren.

In most case, when a Grandchild has Children & Youth Services involved in their lives, a Grandparent may sue for full custody of the Grandchild.  This type of situation is handled differently by different counties in Pennsylvania., some counties require a filing in Custody Court while others require a filing in Juvenile Court.  The correct forum and pleading depend on standing, the existing custody or dependency record, jurisdiction, and local procedure; filing duplicative actions is not a universal rule.

2. Grandchild is substancially at risk due to parental abuse, neglect, drug & alcohol abuse

Our Easton Grandparents' Rights Attorneys can help if the grandchildren's parents are incapable of parenting.

Even if Children & Youth Services is not involved, if a parent is incapable of meeting the minimum standards of parenting, a grandparent may be able to seek custody if the statutory standing and best-interest requirements are satisfied; relief is not automatic.

3. Grandchild has lived with Grandparents for one year or more

Our Allentown Grandparent's Rights Lawyers can help if the grandchildren have lived with the grandparents for over a year.

When a grandchild has lived with Grandparents for one year or more, Grandparents have the ability to sue for full custody so long as Grandparents do so within six months of the Grandchild living with them.

Grandparents' Rights Experience in Northampton County

Our legal team has experience representing Grandparents in various Custody Cases across Easton, Pennsylvania. We’ve accomplished significant victories, securing full and complete custody for Grandparents who previously had no visitation rights. We’ve also successfully defended Grandparents from attempts to exclude them from Custody Orders.

Our experience includes a custody matter involving Northampton County Children & Youth on behalf of grandparents. Every matter depends on its own facts and law, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Lehigh Valley Grandparents' Rights FAQs

Common questions asked of our Easton, Bethlehem & Allentown Grandparents' Rights Attorneys

Can Grandparents Sue for Custody in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Grandparents can sue for Custody in Pennsylvania and our Grandparents' Rights Attorneys in Easton, Pennsylvania have been very successful in asserting Grandparents' Rights in the Lehigh Valley.
What are Grandparents' Rights
Grandparents enjoy special standing and recognition in the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania, in general. Grandparents' Rights include the right to sue for Child Custody under 23 Pa.C.S.A. 5324 & 23 Pa.C.S.A. 5325, in a number of circumstances and also have the rights to child support if awarded custody.
My children won't let me see my Grandchildren, what should I do?
Contact our Easton Grandparents' Rights Attorneys immediately if you live in Lehigh, Northampton or Monroe County.
What laws protect Grandparents in Pennsylvania?
There are two specific statutes that allow Grandparents to seek Child Custody in Easton, Pennsylvania: 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5324. Standing for any form of physical custody or legal custody. The following individuals may file an action under this chapter for any form of physical custody or legal custody: (1) A parent of the child. (2) A person who stands in loco parentis to the child. (3) A grandparent of the child who is not in loco parentis to the child: (i) whose relationship with the child began either with the consent of a parent of the child or under a court order; (ii) who assumes or is willing to assume responsibility for the child; and (iii) when one of the following conditions is met: (A) the child has been determined to be a dependent child under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to juvenile matters); (B) the child is substantially at risk due to parental abuse, neglect, drug or alcohol abuse or incapacity; or (C) the child has, for a period of at least 12 consecutive months, resided with the grandparent, excluding brief temporary absences of the child from the home, and is removed from the home by the parents, in which case the action must be filed within six months after the removal of the child from the home. (4) Subject to paragraph (5), an individual who establishes by clear and convincing evidence all of the following: (i) The individual has assumed or is willing to assume responsibility for the child. (ii) The individual has a sustained, substantial and sincere interest in the welfare of the child. In determining whether the individual meets the requirements of this subparagraph, the court may consider, among other factors, the nature, quality, extent and length of the involvement by the individual in the child's life. (iii) Neither parent has any form of care and control of the child. (5) Paragraph (4) shall not apply if: (i) a dependency proceeding involving the child has been initiated or is ongoing; or (ii) there is an order of permanent legal custody under 42 Pa.C.S. § 6351(a)(2.1) or (f.1)(3) (relating to disposition of dependent child). 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5325. Standing for partial physical custody and supervised physical custody. In addition to situations set forth in section 5324 (relating to standing for any form of physical custody or legal custody), grandparents and great-grandparents may file an action under this chapter for partial physical custody or supervised physical custody in the following situations: (1) where the parent of the child is deceased, a parent or grandparent of the deceased parent may file an action under this section; (2) where the relationship with the child began either with the consent of a parent of the child or under a court order and where the parents of the child: (i) have commenced a proceeding for custody; and (ii) do not agree as to whether the grandparents or great-grandparents should have custody under this section; or (3) when the child has, for a period of at least 12 consecutive months, resided with the grandparent or great-grandparent, excluding brief temporary absences of the child from the home, and is removed from the home by the parents, an action must be filed within six months after the removal of the child from the home.

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