Persons in Bellevue who are not a child’s parents may petition for custody of a child by filing a Bellevue non parental custody action. The child at issue must either not live with one of his parents or the petitioner must makes an allegation that neither parent is suitable for the child. The right to parent one’s own child is a constitutionally fundamental right, and so getting custody of someone else’s child through a Bellevue non-parental custody action must be well founded.

Bellevue non-parental custody is often called third party custody or grandparent custody. The petitioner is often a grandparent who wishes to intervene on behalf of grandchildren who are not being properly cared for by their parents. However, Bellevue non-parental custody actions are not always brought adversely. Sometimes a parent needs a third party to care for children during a hospital or rehabilitation stay. Other Bellevue non-parental custody cases involve circumstances where a parent must temporarily relocate for work and does not want the children to leave his or her neighborhood and school community. A parental custody attorny can help. When dealing with the complex questions of non-parental custody, parental custody attorneys can assist you in creating a plan for how you enagage with this process.

Why would a third party file a Bellevue non-parental custody case when the child’s parent wants the third party to care for the child? First, child support or public assistance may be paid to the new custodial parent on the child’s behalf if that person has legal custody. But more importantly, only a legal custodial parent can make certain decisions for the child such as which school to attend or whether the child can travel internationally. Finally, Bellevue non-parental custody cases are not actions to terminate a parent’s rights. Custody may be returned to the parent, subject to court approval.

For more information about McKinley Irvin, or to contact us about your case, click here.