Grandparents’ Rights

Losing regular contact with a grandchild can be painful. If a parent suddenly stops visits, calls or other communication, a grandparent may wonder whether any legal options exist. In Alaska, grandparents may be able to ask the court for visitation in some situations,...

An Alaska grandparent may obtain custody of a grandchild in limited situations, usually when the parents cannot safely care for the child or when living with a parent would clearly harm the child’s welfare. The court does not treat a grandparent and a parent the same...

In certain situations, grandparents in Alaska may have the right to request formal visitation with their grandchildren. Other times, they may assume custody of their grandchildren and legally adopt them. There are numerous scenarios in which grandparents may seek the...

Grandparents often want to spend as much time as they can with their grandchildren. However, they rely on the parents of their grandchildren for access in most cases. After a disruption to the family unit, such as divorce, grandparents may find themselves excluded...

Family relationships can become strained. When this happens, grandparents often worry about their connections with grandchildren. Are you a grandparent with limited access to your grandchildren? You might wonder if the legal system can help. Understanding grandparent...

Discussions about visitation usually center on parents. When parents stop living together or divorce, they have to work out a shared custody arrangement in most cases. Sometimes, one parent only requests visitation instead of pursuing as much parenting time as...

Grandparents often play an important role in a child’s life. They often enjoy spending time with the child and form a strong bond with them. They likely never think that they’ll suddenly be unable to spend time with the children they love so much.  Some grandparents...

Children deserve to be brought up in wholesome and happy family environments. More often than not, children develop deep bonds with their grandparents, which can provide love, support and stability.  However, family issues such as divorce, custody disputes or strained...

One of the most difficult aspects of divorce is that it impacts the entire family. Spouses will have to take a completely different direction in life post-divorce, and this can impact the children.  Grandparents may be overlooked, but they can also feel the effects of...

The desire to retire early and live a relaxed life without many responsibilities is common among many people in Alaska who have worked hard for many years. Unfortunately, the dream of relaxing during the golden years may not always come true. US census data shows that...