At Kellem Mahoney Family Law & Mediation Group, P.C., we believe that children are raised best when they are surrounded by their family members. Proper development of self-esteem, stability and identity are deeply interconnected with cooperative community ties within the family. If you are a grandparent seeking to establish visitation rights with your grandchild, contact our family law attorney. We would be proud to offer you the compassionate legal support and highly effective guidance that you require in order to achieve your goals. Although your rights are more vulnerable, you do have limited visitation rights to your grandchild under law. However, if the parents of your grandchild are living and married, you do not have the right to see your grandchild. A parent’s decision to keep his or her child away from a grandparent is generally validated by law. If the parents are divorced, the child is in non-parent custody, the parents are separated, or one of the parents has died, you have the right to remain in contact with your grandchild. Let us help you take advantage of your rights!
Do You Want To Establish
Grandparents’ Rights?
Grandparent’s play a significant role in the lives and upbringing of their grandchildren. Our family lawyer is passionate about protecting that role.
Contact Us TodayGrandparents’ Rights Attorney
Helping Grandparents Maintain Family Ties: (781) 428-4477
When Can I Request Visitation Or Custody?
It is important to understand that the court will only grant visitation rights to a grandparent if he or she had a prior bond with the grandchild. State court understands that the continuation of this bond is within the best interests of the child.
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When A Parent Passed Away
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When A Stepparent Has Adopted The Grandchild
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When The Grandchild Is No Longer Living With Either Parent
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When One Parent Has Been Sent To Jail, Prison Or Institutionalized
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When The Parents Are Not Married To One Another
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When A Divorce Or Other Proceeding Is Pending
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When One Of The Parents Has Not Been Located For One Month
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When The Parents Are Married But Separated On An Indefinite Basis
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When One Of The Parents Applies With The Grandparents
Frequently Asked Questions
We Have The Answers That You Need
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Questions
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When Can I Sue For Visitation Rights?
Answer
You are entitled to sue for visitation rights under the following circumstances: the parents of your grandchild no longer live together, one of the parents of your grandchild has been missing for more than 30 days, your grandchild does not want to live with his or her biological parents, the step-parent of your grandchild has adopted him or her.
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Can Court Ordered Visitation Be Modified Or Terminated?
Answer
Yes, a court ordered grandparent visitation order can be modified or terminated. However, the party seeking to terminate or modify the visitation order must file a Motion to Modify in District Court. In addition, if the original grandparent visitation agreement was pursuant to an Agreed Visitation Order, the party seeking to modify or terminate the agreements will be required to prove the change of circumstances. In addition, the party seeking to modify or terminate must show that this action is within the best interests of the child.
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As A Grandparent, Can I Be The Legal Guardian?
Answer
A grandparent can be the legal guardian of his or her grandchild. In fact, guardianship may be necessary for a number of reasons including the following: the parent’s health, the parent’s military duty (requiring him or her to leave the country) or parental unfitness. Guardianship can be granted with our without the agreement of the parent(s). If granted despite the objection of the parent(s), the court determined it would be within the best interest of the child to grant guardianship to the child’s grandparent(s).
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David Kellem
Founding Attorney
David Kellem's strengths in family law draw from his broad legal background. Before founding Kellem Mahoney Family Law & Mediation Group, he spent 25 years representing clients in a wide range of areas that relate to family law.
In addition, David has training in criminal law. This experience informs his representation of clients in restraining order and abuse cases. From 1983 to 1987, he prosecuted street-crime cases in Manhattan as an assistant district attorney with the New York County District Attorney’s Office. His work included jury trials, grand jury presentations and appeals involving cases of murder, robbery, narcotics sales, burglary, weapons possession and sexual assault.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, David graduated with honors from Suffolk University Law School in 1981. He honed his writing skills as lead article editor of the Suffolk University Law Review and after graduation as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph R. Weisberger of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
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Renee Mahoney
Founding Attorney
Renee Mahoney breaks every stereotype of the buttoned-down lawyer. For 20 years, she manned a desk as a paralegal, supporting herself and her young child. Along the way, she attended night classes while working full-time, earning a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Newbury College and then a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England College.
In 2008, Renee earned a Juris Doctor degree from New England Law-Boston. She was sworn in as an attorney in 2009.
Kellem✶Mahoney Family Law & Mediation Group
Smart. Experienced. Practical. Understanding.
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Cost-Effective Legal Solutions
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Full-Service Family Law Firm
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Client-Centered Law Firm
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We Have Firsthand Experience
Our Past Clients Are Our Biggest Advocates
See What They Have to Say
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“I would like to thank Renee for her professionalism and understanding in my divorce settlement.”
Keith
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“They were extremely attentive to my case and always kept me updated.”
Michael L - Divorce Litigation Client
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“The level of service was extraordinary and consistent”
Dan S. - Mediation Client
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“Renee is the Calm in the Storm”
Julie
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“He was able to get us to an agreement that was extremely detailed and workable for all parties involved.”
Kris D - Mediation Client