Patrick Boyer

In most cases involving separated parents, grandparents see their grandchildren on their own child’s custodial time.  In some cases, grandparents can obtain custody and visitation rights.

Grandparents rights are generally limited.  Parents have a preeminent right to custody of their children.  For a grandparent to get custody, they have to demonstrate that each objecting parent cannot provide minimally necessary care for a child.  To obtain visitation, where the grandparent has periods of contact with a grandchild, the grandparent must show regarding each parent that the parent agrees, cannot meet teh child’s minimal needs, or demonstrate that their objections are unreasonable by clear and convincing evidence.

Many grandparent cases involve parents who are both unable to care for a child.  In those cases, when a case involves the claims of competing grandparents, custody and visitation are based upon the best interests of the child. 

If you have questions about coparenting and your custody arrangements, please contact MacElree Harvey’s Centreville Delaware office at 302-654-4454. Visit macelree.com to learn more.

Author Patrick J. Boyer concentrates his practice on family law. He advocates in various areas including, but not limited to, divorce, property division, alimony, child custody and visitation, child support, and domestic violence. In addition, Patrick assists his clients with issues involving guardianship and third-party visitation. He is licensed in Delaware and Pennsylvania and works out of the firm’s Centreville, Delaware office.

Many parents struggle communicating with their former spouse after divorce regarding matters pertaining to their children. It is easy to let feelings surrounding the broken marriage negatively impact communication even on otherwise mundane topics. Over the years, I have observed a lot of ineffective and counterproductive communication between parents.  Here are a few tips for communicating more effectively. 

1. Stick to one subject when possible. Interjecting multiple subjects invites multiple disagreements and dilutes focus on the immediate problem at hand. If the issue is who is going to take the child to soccer practice, focus on that and only that. 

2. Stick to the present. It is generally counterproductive to rehash old grievances about the shortcomings of the other parent. It typically invites arguments over events in the past, triggers counterattacks, and diverts focus from the immediate issue that needs to be solved. 

3. Nouns, verbs, and questions over adjectives, adverbs, and statements. Stick to the facts and the issue. Don’t descend into name calling. Be firm and clear about what is going to happen. 

4. Confirm things in writing. Sometimes communication is so poor that parents do not wish to speak with each other over the phone. Regardless of whether conversations happen over the phone or in writing, confirm plans in writing. An example could include a brief text message after a phone call such as, I will be doing tomorrow’s school pick per our conversation. 

5. Consider using a parenting app. There are several parenting apps out there that can serve as master ledgers for the children’s school, medical appointments, and extracurricular activities that allow both parents to view and edit. Similarly, these apps can serve as one channel for written communication between the parents to track when messages are sent, received, and responded to. They are useful if communication ever becomes an issue in a future Court case. 

If you have questions about coparenting and your custody arrangements, please contact MacElree Harvey’s Delaware office at 302-654-4454. Visit macelree.com to learn more.

As a dedicated family law attorney, I help spouses and parents navigate divorce, child custody, child support, and spousal support matters. When negotiations are not in my client’s best interests, I provide strong legal representation in Family Court trials and handle family law appeals when necessary. I also assist domestic violence victims in obtaining protection from abuse (PFA) orders and defend individuals wrongfully accused in PFA proceedings.

Throughout the legal process, I guide clients in organizing financial information, preparing for court hearings, and understanding Family Court procedures. My goal is to negotiate fair and effective custody agreements, divorce settlements, and support arrangements that align with my clients’ short- and long-term goals.

Since 2014, I have been practicing family law at MacElree Harvey. I work as part of a broader team consisting of other partners, associate attorneys, paralegals, and staff. When necessary, we employ the services of outside experts, including accountants and psychologists.  

Whether you are facing a high-conflict divorce, a child custody dispute, or a complex family law issue, our team is committed to protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome. If you need assistance with any family law matter, please contact MacElree Harvey’s Delaware office at 302-654-4454. We look forward to helping you.

Learn more about Family Law attorney Patrick J. Boyer.