Grandparents’ Rights Actions In North Texas
Last updated on July 14, 2026
Grandchildren bring a special joy to your life, and we know how deeply you care for their well-being. When family disruptions threaten your bond with them, the situation feels incredibly delicate and stressful. We can step in to help you protect that precious relationship. At our dedicated family law firm, serving North Texas, we know how to handle highly sensitive and contentious cases.
We are family law attorneys Juliana Johnson and Jacqueline McNutt, and we can aggressively protect your rights while keeping your grandchild’s safety at the center of everything we do. If you need a grandparents’ rights attorney who will fight for your family in Tarrant, Parker, Hood or Johnson counties, we are ready to stand by your side.
Establishing Grandparents’ Rights In Texas
In Texas, grandparents do not hold an automatic right to see or raise their grandchildren. There is what is called the parental presumption. Under the parental presumption, the law presumes that “fit” parents make choices in the best interests of the child. To overcome this legal hurdle, you must meet strict rules to even ask a judge for help. When you bring a grandparent custody case or request grandparent visitation rights before a judge, the court looks closely at the existing parent-child relationship and the child’s daily safety.
To qualify for court-ordered grandparent visitation under Texas law, you must be the parent of the child’s mother or father, and that specific parent must either be deceased, declared incompetent by a court, incarcerated during the three months before you file, or lack any court-ordered access to the child. If you seek full custody — known legally as conservatorship — the burden rises even higher. A family court judge will only award third-party custody rights if the current home environment poses a serious, immediate danger to the child.
How A Grandparents’ Rights Attorney Can Assist You
Our legal team takes quick action to assist grandparents who want to secure a steady place in their grandchild’s life. We build strong cases to show judges exactly why your involvement is vital for the child’s safety and happiness.
These cases, however, are uniquely difficult. Texas courts apply strict standards, and attorneys must:
- Establish standing with pleadings and affidavits based on firsthand knowledge, not vague or general statements
- Challenge the fit parent presumption, which assumes parents always act in the child’s best interest
- Prove significant impairment, showing that without grandparent involvement, the child’s health or emotional well‑being would suffer
- Follow strict procedures, since even small mistakes in affidavits or pleadings can lead to dismissal or void orders
- Preserve standing arguments, knowing that standing can be challenged at any stage, even on appeal, and preparing for that possibility
We will handle every piece of paperwork and court appearance so you can focus on loving your grandchildren. As trial-tested lawyers, we can build a clear roadmap aimed at getting you the outcome you need in the courtroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grandparents’ Rights
Below, we have provided answers to some common questions our clients have asked about establishing rights as a grandparent.
Can grandparents get visitation rights?
Yes, you can secure family court visitation if you prove that losing a relationship with you will deeply hurt the child’s emotional or physical health. You must also show that the child’s parents are divorced, deceased, incarcerated or unfit.
Can grandparents seek custody of a grandchild?
Yes. A grandparent custody lawyer can help you sue for custody if the biological parents present a serious danger to the child’s well-being. If the child has lived with you for six months or more, your legal position becomes much stronger, however nothing is guaranteed. Contact a Tarrant County grandparents’ attorney before making any legal decision.
When can a grandparent intervene in a custody case?
You can intervene in an ongoing custody case if you already possess legal standing. This usually happens when you have proof of parental neglect or when the child has been living primarily under your roof.
Schedule Your Consultation Today To Protect Your Grandchild!
Do not let a difficult family situation cut you out of your grandchild’s life completely. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to review your situation, explain your options and plan your next steps. Call 817-357-5970 or email our office today to speak with us about your case.