Grandparents often want to spend as much time as they can with their grandchildren. However, they rely on the parents of their grandchildren for access in most cases. After a disruption to the family unit, such as divorce, grandparents may find themselves excluded from their grandchildren’s lives. They may sometimes have the option of pursuing grandparent visitation to protect and renew their connection with their grandchildren.
When grandparents seek visitation rights, they generally need to convince the courts that their involvement is in the children’s best interests. How can grandparents meet that specific requirement?
Proving a prior relationship
The previous positive relationship that a grandparent had with their grandchildren is an important consideration in a grandparent visitation case. Photographs, direct electronic messages and even witness testimony can help validate that a grandparent had a prior, positive relationship with their grandchildren.
Highlighting their contributions
Grandparents often play a critical role in supplementing what parents can provide for their children. They may cover costs that parents can’t afford, babysit when parents aren’t available and offer guidance from a more experienced perspective.
Research generally supports the idea that grandparents can have a positive impact on children’s mental health, social development and sometimes even their physical health. The more support grandparents previously provided and the higher the needs of individual grandchildren, the easier it may be to show the courts that a grandparent’s contributions are important for a child’s optimal well-being.
Going to court to seek grandparent visitation rights can cause conflict temporarily but may ultimately benefit everyone in a family. Grandparents frustrated by a lack of access may need to discuss their circumstances with a family law attorney familiar with grandparents’ rights and Alaska state family law statutes, and that’s okay.