What Are The Grandparents Rights ?

Grandparent rights are something that you may not think about until it affects your family. When child custody and visitation disputes take place, grandparents can be left out of the picture. This is despite the fact that many grandparents are actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives—sometimes even serving as daily child care providers or primary caretakers.

While parents call most of the shots with custody and visitation, grandparents are also allowed to make their wishes known and fight for the right to spend time with their grandchildren. Actual laws vary by country and state, but most have procedures in place to help grandparents retain the ability to see their grandchildren. However, grandparent rights are often limited, something that surprises and disappoints many grandparents when their adult children divorce or separate.

Parent Rights vs. Grandparent Rights

Parental rights are primary, and that’s usually for good reason. Although most grandparents are loving and involved, some aren’t, and parents have the right to decide who spends time with their children. Although parents’ rights are strong, grandparents have a legal right to be notified if child protective services (CPS) removes their grandchildren from their parents’ home. The 2008 Federal Fostering Connections Act requires adult relatives to be identified, notified and given the right to participate in making decisions about what happens to the child or children.

Grandparents have the right to seek custody, but they are not automatically given special consideration. Their request is handled the same as any third-party petition for child custody, and they are treated the same as any other type of foster parents. Bottom line: parental rights, decisions and wishes almost always trump a grandparent’s. Even when legal grandparent visitation is ordered, it can be hard to enforce.

Factors Concerning Grandparent Visitation

While it only seems fair that the amount of time a person spends with a child should determine how visitation decisions are made, that isn’t always the case. Many grandparents assume they will continue their relationship with their grandchildren after a custody dispute. Because almost all the legal control is left to the parents, even involved grandparents can find themselves separated from their grandkids.

If the parent not related to you receives custody of the children, he or she may wish to cut contact with you and your entire side of the family. This is especially true if your relationships were strained to begin with, and can be devastating to you and the children. However, there are a few things you should consider before you decide to sue for visitation rights.

Grandparent visitation laws vary by state and can be complicated—especially if you and your grandchildren live in different states or countries.
You need to learn the grandparent access laws for the state where your grandchildren live. This is usually where the case will be heard. Some states have long, complex visitation laws while others merely take up one sentence in the law books.
Grandparent visitation lawsuits can take a long time to settle. Be sure you’re physically, mentally and emotionally up for the challenge.
Attorney fees and court costs can add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Travel expenses can add several thousand more if you must travel out of state for court.
Your adult children may also incur financial hardship from the lawsuit, which could create a more difficult situation for your grandchildren.
Sharing family details can be embarrassing and emotionally taxing on you, your children and your grandchildren. Young children and teenagers often feel guilty for being at the center of a family conflict, and may feel pressure to choose between their grandparents and their parents.
Pursing legal action is likely to end any hope of an amicable relationship in the future.

What to do if Your Grandparent Visitation Requests are Denied

There are things you can try before suing to obtain visitation rights. You can wait and see if the family dispute resolves over time, or try harder at reconciliation. Some families are able to heal their relationships through counseling or seeking mediation.

If you do need to take legal action, know that all states in the U.S. have state laws governing grandparent visitation rights. In Canada, grandparents’ visitation rights have been legalized in six provinces and one territory. In other areas of Canada, grandparents can sue as interested parties.

Even when a state or province has laws that address grandparent rights to visitation, it doesn’t mean that a grandparent is guaranteed access to the children. Not every grandparent has the ability to file suit; the ones that do find them expensive and difficult to win. Even so, each year many grandparents take legal action to maintain relationships with their grandchildren.

The court may be more likely to rule in your favor if you’re able to provide clear documentation of having a strong relationship with your grandchildren. If your adult child and/or their spouse has restricted contact between you and the grandkids, document your attempts to connect. That way, you can prove that you want to be an active participant in your grandchildren’s lives.

Requirements for Awarding Grandparents Custody

Awarding grandparents custody is usually reserved for cases that meet the legal definition for abuse or neglect. Even if children are temporarily in a grandparent’s custody, reunification with the parents is usually the end goal. This is true even when the parents are making questionable—but not abusive—decisions. If the children are not at serious risk of harm, parental rights usually stand.

Substance abuse issues are the main reason that children are removed from parental custody. Even so, many parents with substance abuse disorders retain custody of their kids as long as they aren’t in serious danger.

Grandparents are often surprised to learn that substance abuse alone isn’t enough to obtain even temporary child custody. They may feel certain that they can provide a more stable, secure environment for the children and give them a better life. Unless CPS removes the children from the home, grandparents (or another relative) aren’t easily able to obtain custody.
What is considered abuse? Laws vary by state, but usually include the following:

Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse or exploitation
Neglect (failure to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical care or supervision, to the degree that the child’s health, safety and well-being are harmed)
A parent’s substance abuse, if the child is given drugs or is present where they’re stored or manufactured
Abandonment

Forms of Grandparent Custody

Grandparent custody arrangements take several different forms, and the names for these can vary by state. It’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the different types of custody before talking to a family attorney.

Physical Custody with Power of Attorney: An informal arrangement where the grandparent agrees to take care of the child on a daily basis. This is usually a temporary situation. The parent signs a power of attorney (POA) that grants the grandparents legal authority to make decisions on their behalf, such as authorizing a child’s medical treatment in case of emergency.
Grandparents as Foster Parents: The state may offer grandparents the opportunity to serve as foster parents after their grandchildren are removed from the parental home. The grandparents have physical custody while the state has legal custody. This is sometimes called informal kinship care. In some states, grandparents must go through the same training and certification process as any other type of foster parents. They will then receive a monthly stipend to help with the child’s living expenses. Reunification with the parents is usually the goal.
Guardianship (Legal and Physical Custody): A grandparent may need physical and legal custody of their grandchildren. This must be established through a court order. Parents can regain the children, but only after petitioning the court. A parent usually retains visitation rights in guardianship cases.
Adoption: This is the only permanent placement arrangement that can occur between grandparents and grandchildren. Adoption effectively ends parental rights, including legal rights to visitation. In some cases, children may remain eligible for state medical care after being adopted by grandparents.

Organizations that Promote Grandparents Rights

Many organizations exist worldwide to promote grandparents’ rights and offer grandparents support. These groups have organized together to improve grandparents access rights to their grandchildren:

Grandparent Rights FAQs

Our relationship with my son’s wife has been strained. I have reason to believe they will eventually divorce. What can I do now to make sure she won’t take away my ability to see the kids?

Start documenting your relationship with each of your grandchildren. Keep cell phone call records and any mail they send to you. Take screenshots of gifts you buy for them online. Save copies of emails, texts and photos. When you visit, try to take plenty of pictures with the kids and write down the date and time you visited. While this may seem excessive, if legal recourse is necessary in the future, you’ll have a better chance of staying connected if you provide proof of strong grandparent/grandchild relationships.

My daughter is a single mom with three kids and the kids’ father is in prison. My oldest grandchild is 13 and is often put in a caretaker role. Their apartment is tiny and dirty, and I don’t think they get enough to eat. I’m sure a court will give me the kids if I ask for them. What are my chances of getting custody?

Unless CPS determines that your daughter’s parenting fits the legal definition of abuse or neglect, you will be fighting an uphill battle. Parents have the right to raise their children as they see fit, and living at the poverty level doesn’t mean you have the right to take them away. Some states even specify that financial lack does not constitute abuse. Instead of involving CPS, offer your daughter and grandchildren as much help as you can. Have groceries or meals delivered, offer to help pay a bill and if you live locally, provide child care if you are able.

What is a guardian ad litem?

A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed guardian responsible for representing the interests of children during the course of a legal action. They are usually attorneys who investigate the case, give testimony of their findings, make recommendations and ensure that all parties comply with court orders.

Do my grandchildren get a say in who they want to live with?

It depends on individual circumstances. Your grandkids’ preferences may be contemplated by the court if they are old enough to clearly express a preference. If the children have a guardian ad litem, he or she will make sure the children’s preferences are considered by the court.

If I get custody of my grandchildren, can that be changed later?

Yes. The only adoption terminates parental rights. Unless you have legally adopted your grandchildren, the parents may be awarded custody if their circumstances improve.