July 31, 2011
As with all major life changes, adoption is both a wonderful and challenging experience filled with excitement, adjustment and joy. This is no less true for grandparents, as they watch their own beloved children dealing with all the emotions that come with adopting a child. Here are some tips to consider if you are becoming a grandparent through adoption: Be a partner in parenting, taking your cues from the parent and respecting that the parent is in charge. While you certainly can share your wisdom and experience, remember that your son or daughter will need to find their own way […]
July 28, 2011
Courts grant grandparents visitation or grandparents custody to grandparents only when certain conditions provided in state statutes are met. Conditions for a grandparent to attain custody differ from those conditions required for visitation rights. A grandparent should be familiar with the conditions for either custody or visitation before determining whether to file a petition to request either from a court of law. Best Interests of the Child Courts in every jurisdiction must consider the “best interest of the child” when granting custody or visitation rights to a grandparent. In some states, the relevant statute provides a list of factors the […]
July 23, 2011
In many families grandparents visitation is easy and frequent. Grandparents usually have a special relationship with their grandchildren. However, in some cases, grandparents have to do far more than be caring, loving grandparents. When parents have problems that prevent them from taking care of their kids, grandparents are usually the first relatives a parent will turn to in their time of need. What happens to the grandparents’ relationship with a child when a parent suddenly returns after a few years, then demands that the grandparents retreat to their earlier role? If you are a grandparent who took on a long-term […]
July 13, 2011
A lot of people ask me when is the best time to get a court to grant grandparents rights. The important thing to note is that it is always best if you can have grandparents visitation included at the time of your child’s divorce. If you or your attorney can negotiate directly with the parents of your grandchildren then adding terms such as grandparents visitation is far easier than it become later. Each different state provides the appropriate venue which can make custody and visitation determinations. Where a divorce is pending, the appropriate venue for making a visitation decision involving […]
July 11, 2011
One of the most perplexing problems with grandparents rights is that they vary greatly depending upon what state court system you are dealing with. At the most basic level, all states require grandparents to prove that the visits they seek are in the best interest of the grandchild. This generally means grandparents must show that their visits won’t be harmful in any way, and that they aren’t abusive or otherwise dangerous to the child. Beyond this initial hurdle, each state has a different threshold for when it will allow grandparents to take a case to court. Some states are more […]
July 4, 2011
Grandparent’s rights have become a controversial issue. On the one hand why should grandchildren be denied time with a grandparent because their parents no longer live together or are getting a divorce? Conversely, at what point does the intervention of the courts infringe upon a person’s civil liberties? People going through a divorce often feel that they have little or no control over their lives anymore. It seems the court system takes over their life, telling them how to live, where to live, how much money to live on and on. Exactly what is visitation? To put it into its […]
June 28, 2011
A new state law in Connecticut has established a task force to study grandparents’ visitation rights with their grandchildren. The laws in Connecticut and many states give parents’ views the top priority in most circumstances in deciding whether to allow contact. Some grandparents want the laws updated so they have more chance to argue in court for visitation. You can read more about these issues here: Why you need to know your grandparents rights Grandparents visitation and custody rights it today’s society Where do I get information on grandparents visitation rights?
June 24, 2011
Are you a grandparent who is feeling wronged? Are you intending to file a law suit to enable you to visit your grandchildren? Are you feeling frustrated by the repeated refusals your son or daughter’s ex spouse is putting you through when it comes to your grandchildren and you? Do you suspect your grandchild is being subjected to child abuse, drugs or careless parenting? If so, then it is time you got to know your grandparents rights inside out. Grandparents rights are rights that grandparents have over their grandchildren in matters of visitations, custody, care and control. The court has […]
June 21, 2011
Tennessee judges may soon have legal authority to grant visitation rights to grandparents fighting to see their grandchildren and that’s a first for the state. Both the House and the Senate passed the grandparents rights bill. It now sits on Governor Haslam’s desk. It’s sponsored by Johnson City Republican Senator Rusty Crowe. Among other things, the measure calls for the court to consider whether parents are depriving a grandparent of the chance to visit a child. Check out this video report on the bill: Tennessee Grandparents Rights Bill
June 18, 2011
Grandparents visitation rights and custody rights are becoming a huge issue in our society. Not only are more grandparents today taking on the responsibility of their grandchildren, but more grandparents are petitioning the court for visitation rights and winning visitation rights and/or custody of their grandchildren. In my book No Greater Loss I explore the complexities of these issues in our culture today. My book has great detail about the specifics of the law and what it means to grandparents. Here is a general overview: Although it is unknown exactly how many court-ordered visitation cases exist in our country today, […]