{"id":862,"date":"2026-01-13T10:34:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T18:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elawrencelaw.com\/blog\/?p=862"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:34:32","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T18:34:32","slug":"who-can-pursue-visitation-rights-for-a-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elawrencelaw.com\/blog\/who-can-pursue-visitation-rights-for-a-child\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Can Pursue Visitation Rights for a Child?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Child custody can be a very emotional issue, and not just for the parents of the child. People often believe that only the legal parents of a child may pursue visitation and\/or custody, but that isn\u2019t true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence, LLC.,  we are experienced family law litigation attorneys, and happy to help you enforce your visitation rights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Which Other Individuals May Be Able to Pursue Custody?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oftentimes, extended family members may be deeply involved in raising a child, such as an aunt or uncle who takes in the child when the parent is deployed overseas, or a grandparent who steps in when the parent is incarcerated. Stepparents and long-term romantic partners of a parent, even those who have not adopted the child, may also form lasting and loving relationships that persist even when the romantic relationship with the parent is over. These individuals may all have a case for establishing legal custody and visitation rights with the child.

If you are not the legal parent of a child, in order to pursue custody you must prove that you are a de facto<\/em> parent of the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a De Facto <\/em>Parent?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A de facto <\/em>parent is, simply put, a person who has acted in the role of a parent for a child. In Maryland, in order to be considered a de facto<\/em> parent, you must prove the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n