Are grandparents allowed to claim visitation rights if they have never been legally married to the grandchild’s parent?

In Washington, grandparents are allowed to claim visitation rights even if they have never been legally married to the grandchild’s parent. The Grandparents Visitation Rights law in the state allows a court to grant visitation rights to a grandparent if the court finds it is in the best interest of the child. When considering the best interest of the child, the court will look at several factors. These factors include the amount of involvement a grandparent has had in the child’s life, the child’s relationship with the grandparent, the grandparent’s health, the grandparent’s lifestyle, and the grandparent’s participation in the child’s community and educational activities. In addition, the court will look at the wishes of the grandparent and the fit parent. If the fit parent is willing to allow or agree to visitation, this will be given more weight in the court’s decision. The court also takes into consideration the length of time since the grandparent has seen the grandchild and the grandparent’s financial support of the grandchild if applicable. Ultimately, if the court decides granting visitation is in the best interest of the child, then a grandparent may be awarded visitation rights, even if the grandparent has never been legally married to the grandchild’s parent.

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Are grandparents allowed to claim visitation rights if they have never been legally married to the grandchild’s parent?

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