Sunday, June 27, 2010

Grandparents and Visitation Rights Issues

By Veronica Scott

Though most people could never imagine life without their grandparents, there are many kids around the world that are forced to grow up this way. There are many unfortunate cases where grandparents are denied visitation with their grandchildren by one or both of the parents. Many things can cause something like this. From divorce to poor relationships between family members, there are a number of things that can affect the relationship between grandparent and grandchild.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are not able to see your grandchildren, you should find out what your rights are. Different states have very differing laws regarding this type of issue so find out what your legal rights are where you live. This is the first step in taking matters into your own hands if you feel the decision made by the parents was unfounded.

In some states you will be able to take a case like this to court to present it before the judge. It will then be up to the judge to make a decision regarding visitation. They can set and enforce the rules surrounding when you can see your grandchildren. Hiring a lawyer can be beneficial if the fight is particularly messy or if you feel you are being slandered or misrepresented by the parents.

Unfortunately, there are many states that do not have these types of things in place and there simply is no easy way to fight the choice of the parents. This doesn’t mean that there is nothing that you can do though. It would still be worth seeking legal counsel to cover all of your bases before giving up. You never know when you may find a loophole.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to seek out a consultation with a professional legal mediator if you are having a hard time communicating with the parents of your grandchild. A mediator can help the family sit down either together or separately in an attempt to come to a neutral agreement. Sometimes parents need to be reminded how important it is for kids to have their grandparents in their life. A neutral party can help with that.

If the issue is because of a divorce between your child and their spouse, it can make you feel like a target of undeserved resentment. Make it clear to both your child and their spouse that you are staying neutral in this matter and only want what is best for the children. Make it clear you are not taking sides and make a point to keep your word on that.

If you have any questions or you are just not sure how to get started in a fight for your rights as a grandparent, call a family lawyer. They should be able to answer questions, address specific situations and recommend you to further resources. It’s important not to allow your personal emotions to get the best of you. All of the moves and choices you make should be based on the grandchildren and what they need most at this time.

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Source: http://www.isnare.com/

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=328782&ca=Family+Concerns

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