Further, more grandparents are becoming educated with strategies and information about how other grandparents are winning custody and visitation rights in the family courts.
Despite what some folks will tell you, grandparents do have legal rights to see their grandchildren in many states. Each state is different with the laws so it is best to research your states child custody laws. Grandparents need to try to work out visitation with the parents anytime it is possible, but if it is impossible there are options.
Grandparents can even get legal custody of their grandchildren in some situations. If the parents are considered unfit, the grandparents may be able to get custody. Although the courts do like to keep the children with the parents whenever possible, some grandparents try to get guardianship of their grandchildren because it is less trouble then seeking custody. This allows them to make legal decisions when needed and it can let the grandparents have some responsibility along with the parents.
I examine the current state of grandparents rights in my book No Greater Loss.