Pennsylvania law allows grandparents and great-grandparents to seek partial or supervised physical custody of a child under specific circumstances, such as the death of a parent, separation of parents, or prolonged residence with the grandparent. The law also addresses the termination of custody rights upon adoption by someone other than a stepparent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. These statutes outline who can file for custody and under what conditions.
Grandparents and great-grandparents can file for partial or supervised custody if the child's parent is deceased, the parents have been separated for at least six months, or the child has resided with the grandparent for at least 12 months and was removed from the home.
All custody rights granted to grandparents or great-grandparents are automatically terminated once the child is adopted by someone other than a stepparent, grandparent, or great-grandparent.
Yes, grandparents can seek custody if the parents have been separated for at least six months or have initiated proceedings to dissolve the marriage.
A grandparent must file within six months after the child's removal from the home if the child has resided with them for at least 12 months.