Grandparents' Rights

Chicago, IL Grandparents’ rights Attorneys

Grandparents' visitation rights in Illinois: navigating legal perspectives

In the state of Illinois, grandparents possess the right to maintain a relationship with their grandchildren, and in certain circumstances, they might even be granted custody of their grandchild. However, it's important to note that under Illinois law, a grandparent's visitation rights hinge on their connection with the child's parent. In essence, the amount of time grandparents can spend with their grandchild is governed by the child's parents.

When evaluating the child's best interests, the court takes various factors into account, encompassing the child's preferences, the quality of the relationship between the child and the grandparents, the physical and mental well-being of all parties involved, the genuine intentions of the grandparents, and the extent of visitation sought. Notably, the court assesses these elements within the context of what would be most advantageous for the child.


However, a crucial distinction emerges when the parental rights of both parents have been terminated through a legal judgment or court order. In such instances, the grandparents' visitation rights are relinquished entirely.


In essence, while grandparents' visitation rights are respected under Illinois law, they are intricately tied to their relationship with the child's parents and are subject to meticulous consideration of the child's welfare and best interests.

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