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While the law doesn’t grant automatic rights to grandparents, there are legal routes available to help preserve these precious relationships, especially when continued contact would benefit a child’s well-being.
At T G Baynes, our family law solicitors understand how upsetting it can be to be cut off from your grandchildren. We’ll guide you through your legal options, including exploring mediation or applying for a court order to gain access, always keeping your grandchildren’s best interests at the heart of the process.
Whether you’re seeking a lives with order or spending time order, or need help responding to a complex family situation, our team provides empathetic, practical support.
We assist grandparents throughout Bexleyheath, Dartford, and Orpington, helping you take steps toward restoring contact and providing stability for the children you care about.
Contact our resident grandparents’ rights in Dartford, Bexleyheath or Orpington
Don’t wait to achieve the rights you deserve as a grandparent. To discuss your case with one of our specialist grandparents’ rights solicitors in our Dartford, Bexleyheath or Orpington offices, or for a fixed-fee initial consultation, fill in our simple enquiry form or give us a call on 020 8301 7777.
Our grandparents’ rights solicitors’ fees
We aim to keep our fees fair and transparent, with no hidden surprises along the way. Many grandparents' rights matters can be dealt with, without incurring significant fees, depending on the complexity and stage of the case.
More involved issues, such as contested applications or complex safeguarding concerns, will be charged hourly. Our grandparents’ rights lawyers always give you clear cost estimates upfront, including any potential court or mediation fees. You can also explore whether you might be eligible for legal aid if certain criteria are met.
For more information about our approach to charges in family law cases, please refer to our solicitors’ fees here.
Why work with our grandparents’ rights solicitors?
We know how vital your relationship with your grandchildren is, and we approach each case with compassion and sensitivity. Our solicitors help with issues regarding grandparents’ denied access to grandchildren across Kent and South London with the greatest respect for your personal matters.
When you work with T G Baynes, you benefit from:
- Clear, realistic advice tailored to your family circumstances
- Step-by-step guidance on applying for contact or child arrangements
- Support with MIAMs and mediation to avoid unnecessary conflict
- Court representation where necessary, including for Child Arrangement Orders
- Members of Resolution, promoting a non-confrontational approach to family disputes
We are committed to achieving child-focused outcomes that preserve and strengthen meaningful family bonds.
Our grandparents’ rights services
Voluntary agreements for access
Many grandparents prefer to resolve contact issues informally, without the stress and expense of court proceedings. Where possible, a voluntary agreement between you and the child’s parents can help preserve relationships and ensure continued involvement in your grandchild’s life. These agreements can cover when and how you see your grandchild, including overnight stays, holidays, and regular contact.
To support these discussions, mediation can often be the best starting point. Mediation allows both sides to express their concerns and reach a mutually acceptable solution in a neutral, non-confrontational environment. A trained mediator facilitates the conversation and can help you record any agreement in writing.
In most cases, before applying to court, grandparents are required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). This is a short, initial meeting with a mediator to explore whether mediation is appropriate. If mediation isn’t successful or isn’t deemed suitable, you can move on to applying for a court order.
Applying to court for a Child Arrangements Order
If voluntary arrangements cannot be agreed or break down over time, you may need to apply to the court for a Child Arrangements Order. This type of order can formalise the time you spend with your grandchild, ensuring consistent and structured contact.
As a grandparent, you must first ask the court for permission to apply, known as 'leave of the court'. While this step may seem daunting, courts recognise the valuable role grandparents play and will consider factors such as the connection you have with the child and the potential impact on their welfare. At T G Baynes, we can guide you closely through this process so you feel empowered and confident throughout.
If permission is granted, your application for a Child Arrangements Order will be assessed based on the child’s best interests. The court will look at the child’s needs, the history of your relationship, and any risks involved. Orders can specify direct contact (in-person visits) and indirect contact (phone calls, letters, or video calls).
Applying to become a full-time carer for your grandchild
If you need to take over the care of your grandchild due to issues such as neglect, illness, or family breakdown, there are several legal options available to formalise your role.
A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is often the most suitable route for grandparents. It grants you enhanced parental responsibility and provides long-term stability, while allowing the child to maintain legal ties with their parents. SGOs offer more security than a Child Arrangements Order and are ideal where ongoing parental contact is still appropriate.
Other options may include a Child Arrangements Order, adoption, or becoming a foster carer through the local authority. Our solicitors can guide you through the best path based on your circumstances, ensuring you’re making the right choices for your loved ones.
How to apply for grandparents’ rights
If informal efforts to maintain contact have failed, grandparents may apply for a Child Arrangements Order through the Family Court. However, unlike parents, grandparents must first apply for the court’s permission (leave) to make the application.
This is done using a C100 form, along with a separate application for permission. The court will assess whether the application is in the child’s best interests, considering factors like the existing relationship between you and the child.
Before applying, you will usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to explore whether the matter can be resolved without going to court. If mediation is unsuccessful or unsuitable, you can then proceed with the court application.
Grandparents’ rights FAQs
Can parents stop grandparents from seeing grandchildren?
Yes, in the UK, parents can legally prevent grandparents from seeing their grandchildren if there is no court order in place. Grandparents do not have automatic legal rights to contact, even if they have previously had a close relationship with their grandchild.
In these situations, grandparents can attempt to resolve the issue informally or through mediation. If those steps fail, they may need to apply to the Family Court for permission to request a Child Arrangements Order that formalises contact.
What to do when you can't see your grandchildren?
If you are being prevented from seeing your grandchildren, it’s important to take measured and legally sound steps. Begin by trying to re-establish communication with the parents—preferably in writing—to express your desire to maintain contact.
If this doesn’t lead to a resolution, the next step is to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to explore whether a compromise can be reached with the help of a trained mediator.
If mediation is refused or proves unsuccessful, you can apply to the court for leave (permission) to apply for a Child Arrangements Order, which may enable you to spend time with your grandchildren under a court-ordered arrangement.
What rights do grandparents have?
Grandparents do not have an automatic legal right to see their grandchildren in England and Wales. However, the law recognises the important role grandparents often play in a child’s life. If informal attempts to maintain contact break down, grandparents can apply to the Family Court for permission to seek a Child Arrangements Order.
When reviewing such applications, the court will consider several factors, including the nature of the relationship between the grandparent and grandchild, the reasons for the breakdown in contact, and what arrangements would best support the child’s wellbeing and stability.
Can grandparents get visitation rights?
Yes, grandparents can be granted visitation rights—legally known as contact rights—but only by applying to the Family Court. The process involves first obtaining the court’s permission to apply, then submitting a formal application for a Child Arrangements Order.
The court will assess whether ongoing contact with the grandparent would promote the child’s welfare and whether any concerns raised by the parents are valid. If the court agrees that it is in the child’s best interests, it can issue an order specifying how and when contact should occur, including in-person visits, overnight stays, or indirect contact such as calls and letters.
Contact our resident grandparents’ rights solicitors in Dartford, Bexleyheath and Orpington
Don’t wait to achieve the rights you deserve as a grandparent. To discuss your case with one of our specialist grandparents’ rights solicitors in our Dartford, Bexleyheath or Orpington offices, or for a fixed-fee initial consultation, fill in our simple enquiry form or give us a call on 020 8301 7777.