Grandparent Issues

Within the past decade or two, there have been dramatic changes to what was once a very traditional relationship between grandparents and their grandchild(ren). The ever increasing divorce rate has probably been the single most predominant factor responsible for these changes. However, single parenthood, adult drug and alcohol abuse, as well as economic issues have contributed greatly as well, the results of which have brought about significant changes to what was once a very traditional family structure.

A large percentage of grandparents have petitioned the court in the hopes of obtaining a regular visitation schedule with the grandchild(ren). Quite naturally, as a by-product of these factors, the individual states have had to address the issues of non-parental custody and the visitation rights of grandparents. As is the case with other divorce-related issues, the laws with regards to grandparent custody and visitation differ from state to state.

What you need to know:

The Basic Rights of Grandparents: There are two basic rights with respect to grandparents and their grandchild(ren), custody and visitation.

Obtaining Court Ordered Visitation: In the past several years, many states have passed laws that grant rights to grandparents who seek court ordered visitation with their grandchild(ren).

Animosity Between Parents & Grandparents: In any situation where a grandparent goes to court in an attempt to secure visitation rights, it is naturally assumed that there must be animosity amongst the respective family members.

Grandparents Rearing Children: In all cases, there is a generally recognized need for emotional support. In some cases, the support and encouragement from other family members is enough. In others, the need for outside help arises.

Should You File for Visitation: There are a variety of circumstances in which it may be appropriate for a grandparent to file for visitation rights.

Understanding Your Rights and Options: Grandparent visitation rights issues usually come out of the ashes of a messy divorce.

Related Articles:

Child Custody: Parents vs. Grandparent
Grandparents's Visitation Rights - To Grandfather's House We Go?
Why Can't I Visit Little Red Riding Hood?
Divorce and Holidays: Don't Fowl Out

Many More Articles:
Custody & Visitation Articles
Parental Alienation Articles

Grandparent Rights State Laws:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Wash. DC Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho

Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri

Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania

Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Related Tutorials:

Children & Divorce Tutorial

Related Checklists:

Child Behavior Checklist
Family Counseling and Divorce Checklist
Child Custody Checklist

Related Research Links:

Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (All 50 States)
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (All 50 States)

Related Community Forums:

Grandparent Issues
Child Removal Issues
Children Issues
Custody & Visitation

Related Products:

Online Custody, Visitation & Support Tracking Tools: Keep track of visitation, conflicts, support payments, and create a documented account of all custody, visitation and support issues.

Parent/Child Psychological Evaluation: Psychological evaluations help you as a grandparent, understand how the separation or divorce is affecting your grandchild by providing knowledge that will help you prevent your grandchild or grandchildren from experiencing unnecessary emotional harm.

Parenting Agreements: Create legal binding agreements that both parties can live with. In these agreements you are able to outline and secure grandparents visitation rights.

Related Downloads:

The Child Support Obligations of Grandparents
Interference as Grounds for Modification
The Rights and Responsibilities of Stepparents
Sibling Visitation Rights
Parent's Ability & Willingness to Cooperate

Related Books:

Grandparents Rights
The Men's Rights Manual for Divorce
The Women's Rights Manual for Divorce
The Father's Child Custody Handbook
The Mother's Child Custody Handbook
Child Custody Strategies for Men and Women
Helping Your Children Cope With Divorce
Helping Children Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way

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