Grandparents Visitation

September 23, 2010

My New Grandparents Rights Book – Now Available

I have just published the definitive volume on Grandparents Rights today. My new book No Greater Loss: The Guidebook to Today’s Grandparents Rights is now available in print. It contains everything you need to know about Grandparents Rights regarding visitation, custody, guardianship and much more. I have written this book to help bridge the gap between Logic and Law. Grandparents have provided and still provide so much caring continuity in our extended families…and yet there is a danger that these […]
August 5, 2010

Proud grandparents: Grandparents and adoption

One of the greatest of experiences in life is becoming a grandparent, even if it comes through unconventional means. Grandparents whose children adopt have a wonderful chance to welcome a brand new person into their family. 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 the grandparents, as they watch their own beloved children dealing with all the emotions that come with adopting […]
August 3, 2010

A “time-out” primer for grandparents dealing with grandchildren and discipline

Grandparents who find themselves having custody of their grandchildren, or just spending a great deal of time with them during visitation, may wonder about discipline techniques. Children who are used to “time-outs” may stump grandparents raised many years ago in entirely different circumstances. Time-outs can effectively stop behaviors that are especially hard to discipline. It can also serve as disciplinary action for a particularly aggressive or impulsive grandkid! These discipline problems can include everything from a temper tantrum to cursing […]
May 28, 2010

Scenarios which affect grandparents visitation rights

Grandparents visitation rights can differ in different states, and circumstances certainly matter. Generally, if it comes to the courtroom grandparents must prove that they should indeed have visitation rights with their grandchildren based on the particular circumstances of the case. Here are some different circumstances that grandparents often face when considering these issues: Previously Cared for Grandchild Grandparents can be granted grandparents visitation rights if they previously cared for the grandchild. In cases like this, the grandchildren may have stayed […]
May 27, 2010

What factors does a judge consider for grandparent visitation?

Many state statutes contain no set guidelines for granting visitation rights to grandparents. In the absence of any such guidelines, most judges grant visitation when it is in the best interests of the child. The importance of preserving and maintaining an existing relationship between the child and their grandparents will be weighed against the custodial parent’s need to exercise their parental rights and veto such visitation if they desire. There are several factors which judges consider: Is there an existing, […]
March 21, 2010

Do you actually have grandparents visitation rights?

In today’s society more than half of all marriages end in divorce. This creates problems and challenges for the immediate family unit but also for the extended family when it comes to grandparents visitation rights. Depending on the atmosphere surrounding the separation and divorce this could cause tremendous anxiety and even alienation. This could leave the grandparents out in the cold. This is an especially difficult time when there are children involved. The children feel great sadness because often they […]
March 17, 2010

Grandparents must be aware of court issues before making agreements for grandparents visitation rights

In most situations where a grandparent goes to court in an attempt to secure grandparents visitation rights, it is assumed that there must be some animosity amongst the respective family members. The rationale for that is that if such animosity did not exist, there would be no need for the intervention of the court. Case histories from the courts have demonstrated that even when the grandparents are awarded a grandparents visitation schedule, the parents who oppose are often likely not […]
March 1, 2010

Is your state restrictive or permissive when it comes to grandparents visitation rights?

One important aspect when it comes to the grandparents visitation rights is whether the state you live in is “restrictive” or “permissive” when it comes to the rights you have to see your grandchildren. All 50 states currently have some type of grandparent visitation rights statute through which grandparents can ask a court to grant them the legal right to maintain their relationships with their grandchildren. But individual state laws vary greatly when it comes to the crucial details, such as who […]
February 26, 2010

How do the courts determine grandparents visitation rights?

A lot of different factors go into determining grandparents visitation rights when it comes to grandchildren and the courts. There are some general guidelines for grandparents rights, but each state has different laws and factors. Case law shows that most states take into account the following factors when determining grandparents visitation rights: 1. The needs of the child, including considerations of physical and emotional health of the child, the safety of the child, and the welfare of the child. 2. […]