Legal Definitions - grandparent rights

Grandparent rights refer to the legal rights of grandparents to seek visitation with their grandchildren. In most states, grandparents can seek court-ordered visitation in certain circumstances, such as when their own child (the parent of the grandchild) has passed away or when the child's parents have divorced.

However, it's important to note that the United States Supreme Court has ruled that the primary right to make decisions about a child's association lies with the child's parents. This means that if a parent is deemed fit and objects to grandparent visitation, the parent's wishes will generally be upheld.

After their son passed away, John and Mary sought visitation with their grandson, who was being raised by his mother. The court granted them visitation rights, as they were the child's only living grandparents and had a close relationship with him before their son's death.

However, in another case, a court denied grandparents' visitation rights when the child's parents objected, stating that the grandparents had a history of undermining the parents' authority and causing conflict within the family.

These examples illustrate how grandparent rights can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the court's interpretation of what is in the best interest of the child.