Grandparent Visitation Rights

Does anyone know what rights grandparents have to see their grandchildren? I'm asking for a friend who has no relationship with her son but may want to persue visitation rights to see her grandchildren. She's called a few lawyers and seems to get different answers from everyone. Does she have any visitation rights?

Re: Grandparent Visitation Rights

It completely depends on the state. Generally, grandparents have no visitation rights under most circumstances. It really depends (1) on the state in which the children live and (2) the very particular facts of her situation. She needs to talk to a good lawyer licensed and experienced in family law in the state in which the grandchildren live. (NOT just a regular general practitioner)

Make sure she talks to a good lawyer who will go over everything with her. There are many financial and emotional implications in these situations for all parties involved, including the children.

Message edited 5/15/2007 11:16:44 AM.

Re: Grandparent Visitation Rights

ITA w. Kara

The AARP has a ton of information, along with attorney recommendations.

I was researching info for a friend but for the other side.

Re: Grandparent Visitation Rights

My mother went through this about 11 yrs ago here in NY.
She was granted the last Sunday of every month to have my niece for the day. However my brother and SIL were never home for my mom to pick up her granddaughter.
After about 3 months of going through this, she stopped trying.

It's a tough situation, because if you have no relationship with your child, it's hard to have a relationship with your grandchild since they don't know you.

Eventually it was all put behind us..and my brother divorced my SIL and we all have a relationship again.

Good luck to your friend.

Re: Grandparent Visitation Rights

I have no understanding of the law...but....Dr. Phil had a mother and daughter on his show a while back and the mother was being denied visitation with her granddaughter because of the bad relationship with her own daughter.

Dr. Phil said that being a grandparent and seeing your grandchildren is a priviledge - not a right and that visitation would not necessarily be awarded especially since the child's mother was taking good care of her and there was no cause for concern. But like Kara said - I think he backed this up with the comment that each state handles things differently and that the overall situation has to be considered for the individual situation.

Like I said - I have zero, zilch, nada experience or understanding about this topic but just wanted to make use of my Dr Phil tv time.

Re: Grandparent Visitation Rights