Grandparents rights in Louisiana

I’m going to make this short. A friend of mine has a one and a half year-old granddaughter, and her mom recently died. The mom and granddaughter were living with her parents when she passed away a couple of months ago. After the death of my friend’s daughter, the baby’s dad decided to take his daughter, who has been living with her grandparents since birth and only seen her dad a couple of days a week with no overnight stays. He took her on one of his normal weekly visits and has since refused to communicate with the grandparents. Fast forward, the grandparents filed for an immediate custody hearing and currently have visitation for two days a week for a few hours. They are scheduled for a hearing, and the grandparents are pursuing shared custody with the dad. I’m wondering if the courts will grant the grandparents shared custody.

It sounds like a tough situation. In Louisiana, grandparents can pursue custody if they can prove it’s in the child’s best interests. Given the circumstances, they might have a good chance.

mjvincent said:
It sounds like a tough situation. In Louisiana, grandparents can pursue custody if they can prove it’s in the child’s best interests. Given the circumstances, they might have a good chance.

That makes sense. They have been the primary caregivers, so hopefully, that weighs in their favor.

If the dad has been largely absent, that could work in the grandparents’ favor too. The courts generally prioritize stability for the child.

Oak said:
If the dad has been largely absent, that could work in the grandparents’ favor too. The courts generally prioritize stability for the child.

Exactly. They just want to keep the routine for the little one.

Have they considered getting a lawyer? Legal representation can make a significant difference in custody cases.

Lexi said:
Have they considered getting a lawyer? Legal representation can make a significant difference in custody cases.

Yes, they have a lawyer assisting them for the hearing.

It’s great that they are taking action. The emotional bond they have with the child can also be a strong factor in their favor.

Aspen said:
It’s great that they are taking action. The emotional bond they have with the child can also be a strong factor in their favor.

Absolutely. They’ve been there since day one, and that should count for something.

The fact that the child has been living with the grandparents could definitely influence the judge’s decision. It might help them a lot.

Kaius said:
The fact that the child has been living with the grandparents could definitely influence the judge’s decision. It might help them a lot.

Fingers crossed for them. They just want what’s best for their granddaughter.