Parents often feel happy when their children find long-term romantic partners, and marry them accordingly. They may be over the moon when their adult children have children, making them grandparents. The whole family may celebrate the addition of a new child.
Grandparents may spend quite a bit of time with their grandchildren on holidays and birthdays. They may even provide child care or open their family home to their children and their new grandchildren. Unfortunately, if family circumstances change, grandparents are theoretically at risk of alienation from their grandchildren. They may find that they cannot see their grandchildren as they used to and may want to request visitation in family court.
When do grandparents have the option of requesting visitation in Indiana?
Visitation rights usually require a divorce
The Indiana statute governing formal grandparent visitation specifically applies after the dissolution of the parents’ marriage. The end of the marital relationship may also mark the end of the positive dynamic between the grandparents and the other parent of their grandchild.
Especially if the other parent has primary or sole custody, they may refuse to let the grandchildren interact with or visit their grandparents. In such cases, grandparents can petition the family courts seeking custody.
Typically, the grandparents need to show a pre-existing relationship and convince the courts that visitation is in the children’s best interests. Provided that the circumstances fulfill all mandatory requirements, grandparents can sometimes secure court orders extending them visitation rights.
When family circumstances change, children may need the support of their extended family more than ever. Learning more about the state’s unique rules governing child custody and visitation can help grandparents continue showing up for their grandchildren.