{"id":376543,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/grandparents-visitation-rights-in-texas.html"},"modified":"2025-01-02T12:16:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T17:16:04","slug":"grandparents-visitation-rights-in-texas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/grandparents-visitation-rights-in-texas.html","title":{"rendered":"Grandparents’ Visitation Rights in Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Grandparents' Visitation Rights in Texas<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

You love your adult child. But their life is in chaos, and single parenthood has not helped the situation.<\/p>\r\n

Frankly, you’re concerned for your grandchildren’s safety and emotional well-being. They’ve always adored you, but can you be the lone star of stability in your grandchild’s life? How can a grandparent step in when a child’s parent is struggling or unable to parent?<\/p>\r\n

This article will discuss grandparents’ visitation rights<\/a> in the state of Texas.<\/p>\r\n

Rights of Grandparents<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized parents’ constitutional right to make decisions for their children. This includes deciding who may contact and spend time with the children. Grandparents do not have a corresponding equal right to visitation time.<\/p>\r\n

In Troxel v. Granville<\/i><\/a> (2000), the Supreme Court invalidated a Washington state law as applied to a grandparent’s request for visitation over a parent’s objection. The law in question gave any third party the right to file a request for visitation. It also permitted a court to make a best interests determination<\/a> to decide the case without giving any special weight to the view of a fit parent. The Court found that the law swept too broadly and violated the constitutional rights of parents.<\/p>\r\n

As a result, grandparents often must provide compelling reasons for child visitation when opposed by the parents. Courts do not seek to interfere with a parent-child relationship without good cause. This is based on the presumption that otherwise fit and capable parents have a right to determine what is in the best interests of their children.<\/p>\r\n

Family lawyers in Texas often counsel grandparents to compromise and work with the child’s parents when they request visitation. Before filing a lawsuit, consider alternatives like mediation<\/a>. Parties may work out a voluntary agreement or schedule that acknowledges each’s positive contributions to the child’s upbringing.<\/p>\r\n

Still, grandparents and other non-parents can request that a court’s custody order give legal rights to visitation. The court may grant visitation if:<\/p>\r\n