We care for the children! But
sometimes caring isn't enough. Our special circumstances require
us to take extra steps to protect and care for the children we
welcomed and accepted into our lives. We at GrandsPlace
have collected information to help the Grandparents
and Special Others Raising Children and provide this resource
here. Please feel free to browse our pages and find what you need
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Let Your Voice Be Heard!
The best way to effect change is to let our representatives know how
we feel. We can make a better world for our children
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Grandparents Rights
Time spent with grandparents is noted to be of great value to a child's
overall growth experience. But sometimes due to a breakdown in the family
children become separated from their grandparents. This is a sad situation
for all involved. While many states have laws that allow a grandparent
to go to court and petition for grandparent visitation, be warned that
it is an expensive and gut wrenching endeavor. Before going to court ask
yourself if you have done everything humanly possible to resolve this issue
on your own.Some questions to ask yourself are:
Are my grandchildren being cared for properly by the Parents?
Have I been respectful of the parent's wishes when I am with my grandchildren?
What reasons do the parents give for denying me access to my grandchildren?
Is it a valid reason?
Is there something I could do to change their mind without going to court?
If answering these questions to yourself honestly, you still feel the need
to go to court you will find resources here to help you gain visitation.
It is wise to seek the advice of a lawyer, or, perhaps more cost effectively,
conduct a little independent legal research. This page is not intended
to take the place of a licensed attorney, but to help you in the independent
research of Grandparents rights.
The Basic Rights of Grandparents
There are two basic rights with respect to
grandparents and their grandchild(ren), custody and visitation.
Custody is the legal rights and obligations consistent
with that of the taking on the full-time parenting and rearing of the child(ren).
This decision requires a major commitment on behalf of the grandparents.
If the parents are not taking proper care of the grandchildren in the eyes
of the state, A grandparent can petition the court to take over as guardian
of their grandchildren. If the parents are not willing to voluntarily
surrender custody, the court may decide that grandparents should have the
custody of their grandchildren.
Visitation would be where the court sets a specific schedule
of time that grandchild(ren) are to spend with their grandparents. Again,
the actual applicable laws vary from state to state, so it is very important
to understand exactly which of these laws do and do not apply to your own
particular situation. It is wise to seek the advice of a lawyer.
Divorcesource.com has a great section on
Grandparents
Rights. We have provided this clickable map for you to access their
page for your state.
Click in the center of your state to find Grandparent Rights information
for your state.
