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Pennsylvania Grandparents Visitation Law

Divorce – Grandparents Visitation – Pennsylvania

When parent deceased.
If a parent of an unmarried child is deceased, the parents or grandparents of the deceased parent may be granted reasonable partial custody or visitation rights, or both, to the unmarried child by the court upon a finding that partial custody or visitation rights, or both, would be in the best interest of the child and would not interfere with the parent-child relationship. The court shall consider the amount of personal contact between the parents or grandparents of the deceased parent and the child prior to the application.

Title 23, Part V, Chap. 53, SubChap. A, § 5311

When parents’ marriage is dissolved or parents are separated.
In all proceedings for dissolution, subsequent to the commencement of the proceeding and continuing thereafter or when parents have been separated for six months or more, the court may, upon application of the parent or grandparent of a party, grant reasonable partial custody or visitation rights, or both, to the unmarried child if it finds that visitation rights or partial custody, or both, would be in the best interest of the child and would not interfere with the parent-child relationship. The court shall consider the amount of personal contact between the parents or grandparents of the party and the child prior to the application.

Title 23, Part V, Chap. 53, SubChap. A, § 5312

When child has resided with grandparents.
If an unmarried child has resided with his grandparents or great-grandparents for a period of 12 months or more and is subsequently removed from the home by his parents, the grandparents or great-grandparents may petition the court for an order granting them reasonable partial custody or visitation rights, or both, to the child. The court shall grant the petition if it finds that visitation rights would be in the best interest of the child and would not interfere with the parent-child relationship.

Title 23, Part V, Chap. 53, SubChap. A, § 5313

Exception for adopted children.
Sections 5311 (relating to when parent deceased), 5312 (relating to when parents’ marriage is dissolved or parents are separated) and 5313 (relating to when child has resided with grandparents) shall not apply if the child has been adopted by a person other than a stepparent or grandparent. Any visitation rights granted pursuant to this section prior to the adoption of the child shall be automatically terminated upon such adoption.

Title 23, Part V, Chap. 53, SubChap. A, § 5314


Inside Pennsylvania Grandparents Visitation Law